The Waratahs No.7 is unrecognisable from the player he was about a month ago. He’s flicked a switch and gone up a few gears, and was a major contributor to the Waratahs’ win over the Highlanders on Friday.
He’s playing in a team with a wobbly scrum and an out-of-touch No.10, but Hooper’s outstanding kick for a 50-22 before half-time in Sydney showed that he is now grabbing games by the scruff of the neck.
Queensland’s Fraser McReight is having an excellent season, but Hooper will love the challenge on Saturday.
There is a queue of young breakaways forming behind him — it’s an area where Australia are genuinely well served — but the old bull isn’t ready to step aside yet.
2. Carter Gordon is extending his lead
It’s about that time of year when the excitement surrounding younger players dies down as they struggle to maintain their performances — it’s happening a bit with Max Jorgensen. But the Rebels’ Carter Gordon, with a year of Super Rugby already behind him, is actually moving ahead of his rivals in the race for a Wallabies spot.
Carter Gordon continues to shine for the Rebels.Credit: Getty
Waratahs No.10 Ben Donaldson will be glad that his failure to find touch from a second-half penalty didn’t come back to haunt him, but the error emphasised his struggles and James O’Connor’s best bet is to try to land a utility spot, given his ability to play No.10, No.12, No.13 and possibly No.15.
Gordon wasn’t perfect in the second half against Moana Pasifika on Saturday, but his outstanding long passing and toughness were highlights of the first half.
3. The undervalued gems
It’s no secret that this column is a fan of Waratahs winger Dylan Pietsch. He’s just a smart rugby player and could easily develop into one of those invaluable blokes who could cover No.11, No.13 and No.14, a la Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Dylan Pietsch.Credit: Getty
If we were European recruiters, we’d be targeting him because he’s undervalued in Australia — probably by quite a lot of dollars.
The other player coming into this category is Western Force second-rower Jeremy Williams. He’s a real worker, and is thriving in the opportunity provided in Perth. He carries well, and showed good accuracy at the restarts against the Reds. Another one to watch.
4. Two-horse race for fullback
Andrew Kellaway had some lovely touches against Moana Pasifika, and as a member of the Wallabies’ leadership group he has a major role to play this year. But where?
The battle for the No.15 jersey is between Kellaway — who played at fullback on Saturday — and the ever-improving Tom Wright.
Andrew Kellaway.Credit: Getty
It’s a tough call, but whatever way it goes both should be starters in the Wallabies’ back three. They are smart players with an uncanny ability to beat the first defender.
5. Women’s rugby sends another message
The bores who say, ‘But show me the return on investment with women’s rugby’ should be shown images of Twickenham at the weekend. Almost 60,000 turned up to watch England beat France in the Six Nations, a bigger crowd than the European Cup semi-final between Leinster and Toulouse.
In our region, there are currently only two teams who could draw that crowd: the Wallabies and All Blacks. But, the Wallaroos and Black Ferns could, with the right backing. RA should invest in women’s rugby not because it is the ‘right’ thing to do, or to get a photo op with the Prime Minister, but out of naked self-interest.
