Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper believes Rugby Australia should foster relationships with overseas clubs to open up the prospect of more sabbatical deals for star players, and to develop the country’s best junior talent on loan deals as well.
Hooper’s endorsement of the value of sabbaticals came after it emerged off-contract Wallabies star Len Ikitau is set to play a nine-month season in Exeter at the end of the year, before returning to Australia on a new long-term contract.
The deal – RA and Exeter are still working out the logistics – would stop Australian rugby losing Ikitau for several years and clear a path for the centre to play at the 2027 World Cup without relying on a Giteau Law pick.
Speaking on the Inside Line podcast, former Wallabies Nick Phipps and Hooper said sabbaticals had benefits in retaining players in the long term, and with the development of skills and mindset in new environments.
“I think it is a great thing. Are you telling me [Ikitau] is not going to go play Prem rugby, play 20 games in a gritty, different style of rugby and not come back a better player? That is a really great fit,” Phipps said, adding Australian cricketers are frequently sent to play in England to get used to the conditions.
Hooper is back in Japan after recently coming out of retirement to play in League One for Toyota Verblitz, the same club where the former Wallabies flanker spent a sabbatical season in 2021.
Michael Hooper playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan.Credit: Getty Images
Hooper identified two types of offshore experience that can be beneficial to Australian rugby.
“The first is that type of player who has played a lot of minutes who is, not rusted on, but has been around, like a Bobby Valetini, is someone who would really benefit,” Hooper said.
“The caveat to that is being in a good program … good coaching, around good players and a different experience. Somewhere where they are not going to play 50 games in a season, and that’s the benefit of a sabbatical, and Japan fits the bill well.”
The second category of offshore playing stint Hooper believes should be used more by RA is the loaning of young, talented players to overseas clubs to help with their development. Hooper has recently been training with Australian under-20s captain Toby Macpherson, who signed a short-term loan deal with Toyota late last year and will soon return to the Brumbies.
The Len Ikitau flick pass for the Wallabies’ match-winner against England.Credit: Stan Sport
“Can our Super Rugby clubs be loaning players out to different clubs around the world?” Hooper said.
“At the start [of a career], you get exposure to a different culture, you get out of Mum and Dad’s home, which is a positive thing sometimes, you have exposure to different ways and approaches. Up here [Japan] we have [coaches] Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, so you get some New Zealand perspective.
“For someone like Toby, or any player, and I am talking in that age of 18 to 22, if you can get six-month exposure to a different way of doing it, it’s so beneficial for a player early on in their career. RA should be open to it, and should start developing and nourishing these relationships.”
Hooper’s return to the field prompted speculation about his involvement in the Lions series later in the year and potentially playing in the Australia and New Zealand Invitation side’s tour match in Adelaide.
Wallabies George Smith (right) and Michael Hooper in 2013, after Smith’s late call-up for the third Lions Test.Credit: Marco Del Grande
Hooper sidestepped questions about his desire to play, saying he was still sore four days after his first game for Toyota. He said there would have to be “extraordinary circumstances” for him to receive a Wallabies squad call-up from Joe Schmidt.
In 2013, Hooper was benched for the third Test to make way for a shock George Smith return.
Hooper said he and Schmidt had traded texts when he announced his Japanese return, but he wasn’t doing it to “reboot a career”.
“There would need to be some pretty extraordinary circumstances, to be honest,” Hooper said. “I would have to be playing some great footy to be considered, and two, I retired from international rugby.
“The level of commitment to play at Test level is very, very high, and I am unsure if I have that level of commitment to put the body on the line and have the intent that you need to have to be a part of that series.”
Meanwhile, star recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will miss the Waratahs’ clash with the Fijian Drua on Friday night at Allianz Stadium due to a toe injury. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar said it was not a long-term issue.
Joey Walton has also been ruled out with a groin injury, meaning Henry O’Donnell will make his debut at No.13 for the Tahs. O’Donnell is a NSW junior who starred for Norths last year and returned from the Force this season.
