Australian Legend Says Goodbye To Wallabies
Michael Hooper is among the best players to step foot on the pitch. He has captained for club and country. Hooper was a mainstay in the Australian setup for many years. The flanker has made his name in the 15-a-side game. Yet, he seems to be saying goodbye to that part of rugby. Hooper has announced that he will focus on Paris 2024 as part of the sevens team.
The Icon Michael Hooper
Hooper has done so much for the game down under. He has been the captain for the Wallabies on 69 occasions. That's why it was a massive shock when he didn't attend the 2023 World Cup as a player. Leaving him out of the squad could be seen as a mistake, as Australia didn't pass the group stage. Many wondered if head coach Eddie Jones was right for the job. Yet, it looks like Jones is off to Japan. It has left many people wondering what's next for Australian rugby.
Talks Move to Sevens
Hooper talks about moving to sevens.
"A lot of running. The most I've ever seen," Hooper told Nine's Today of his switch to sevens.
"That's a new challenge. I've done 15s for a long time and played in the Wallaby jersey for a long time. Yet, to play in a sevens tournament and have the potential to go to the Olympics is exciting.
"It would be a fantastic experience. There is so much water under the bridge to get into that environment.
"I've trained with these guys. They are hungry and can run forever.
"I'm one of the bigger guys in the team, which is very unusual. It should be great."
Quotes Via Wide World Of Sports
Now that Hooper has moved to sevens, achieving more in his iconic career looks inevitable. Too this, it will be fascinating to see what the Wallabies will look like.