Super Hooper deserves to stand with greats

THIRTY years ago, Bishop Wordsworth’s of Salisbury lost a national schools cup final to King Edward VI of Stratfordupon-Avon by the odd point in seven. Yep, that’s right: 4-3 to the Midlanders. And you thought the Lions tour was dull.

Yet there was something well worth watching at Twickenham that day, namely a teenage back rower by the name of Richard Hill, who played No.8 for the losing side. Without him, Bishop Wordsworth’s would have lost a little more heavily, possibly by a factor of 40. Sadly for another loose forward of the very highest calibre, the Wallaby captain Michael Hooper, oneman shows have less of an impact these days. Hooper routinely plays out of his skin – give or take, his consistency level is even further off-the-scale as Hill’s once was – but gaps in collective class can no longer be closed by the heroics of a single individual.

The All Blacks inflicted a record defeat on Australia in Auckland last weekend, despite the best efforts of Manly’s finest. It was enough to drive the poor man to drink.

But Hooper will be back for more just as soon as the pandemic permits a resumption of the Bledisloe Cup series. There is no more resilient player in the whole of the sport. And if there is any justice in the world, he will not only secure his position among the Simon Poidevins and David Wilsons and David Pococks as the best No.7s his country ever produced, but be officially garlanded as first among equals.

He really is that good, despite the shortcomings of the side he leads.