‘Great’ Lealiifano seeking to complete Wallabies revival

IN the superlative-heavy world of sport, captain Michael Hooper is spot on when lauding Christian Lealiifano’s comeback tonight as “better than great”.

Beating Argentina in The Rugby Championship Test at Suncorp Stadium won’t suddenly turn the Wallabies into a great side but it will be a reassuring signpost of desperately needed improvement.

Lealiifano will be integral to any of those gains when he runs out for his 20th Test but his first wearing of the No.10 jersey as key playmaker.

Rebuilding his body, his life and his rugby after fighting leukaemia is one of the most uplifting stories in Australian sport, not just rugby. Play well and Lealiifano, 31, will get a chance against the All Blacks next month to solidify his status beside Bernard Foley as Australia’s two No.10 picks for the World Cup.

“He’s always been a givertype personality as far as the attitude, the energy, the aura and being really positive,” Hooper said.

“He’s had a struggle, there’s been a development through that and that’s been, for everyone in Australia, very inspirational. It’s better than great, it’s awesome to have him in the team.”

The vital switch that has been flicked this season has been greater control, composure and impact as backline leader at the Brumbies.

Hooper has seen it too: “Watching from afar and playing against him, he had great leadership quality and he built and gained momentum with the way he drove them around.

“Not one is better than other, they are different players (Foley and Lealiifano) with how they play at the line, the different connections.”