ROLLER-COASTER START FOR LEGEND HOOPER
Former Australia test captain ‘really nervous’ in his introduction to the merciless shorter format amid win over Fiji and narrow defeat by France
A wide-eyed Michael Hooper delivered a blunt assessment of how he felt in the minutes before making a long-awaited rugby sevens debut in the cauldron of Hong Kong Stadium yesterday.
Sporting a fresh cut on his lower lip, after an influential substitute’s cameo in Australia’s 12-0 afternoon victory over Fiji, Hooper said: “I was bloody nervous. Like, really nervous. On the sidelines, it just felt completely new. The whole draw out of the day, and the fans already going nuts.
“I have not started on the bench much, so to come on with the game in the balance was tough stuff.”
Hooper would receive a very early lesson in the slings and arrows of fortune delivered by merciless rugby sevens. In Australia’s second match, he was introduced late to help protect a lead over France.
Five minutes later, Hooper was marching down the tunnel, wearing a thousand-yard stare and ignoring autograph requests, after two late French tries inflicted a 19-14 defeat on the Aussies.
Men’s defending champions New Zealand, meanwhile, handsomely returned to form with a thumping 22-0 win over world series leaders Argentina, after overcoming Great Britain 12-7 in their opening match. The offcolour Argentines also lost to USA, who completed a perfect day with victory over Great Britain.
New Zealand’s women, also targeting back-to-back titles, were convincing winners over GB and Brazil, while perennial rivals Australia saw off Fiji and Ireland.
Hooper announced his sevens switch back in November, after the former Australia captain was snubbed by head coach Eddie Jones for last year’s World Cup.
His head was still spinning after a debut delayed by Achilles and calf problems. More than once, Hooper referenced being on the field against Fiji for four minutes. It was closer to two minutes. The miscalculation, perhaps, stemmed from the fact, “it was a bit of a blur, really, it went really quick”.
Hooper was treated to a generous reception from the thronging stands, a stark contrast to the jeers formerly reserved for those wearing green and gold in Hong Kong, and indicative of a crowd grateful to watch the 32-year-old sprinkling his stardust.
He straight batted a question about the old hostility, insisting “we are just happy to play”, but acknowledged an introduction against traditional sevens kings Fiji was “pretty daunting”.
“I have a wealth of games under my belt, so I am trying to lean into that, but I am completely new at this,” he said. “I am trying to find out where I can impact on the game, and will take it step by step.”
Hooper is on a mission to run before he can walk, with a place in Australia’s squad for the summer Olympic Games his ambition. All that experience he mentioned, the 125 international caps, a record 69 of them as skipper, and leading Australia to the 2015 World Cup final, was evident in a belligerent, clever contribution, to see his team home in their first game.
“It is a privilege [to be his captain],” Nick Malouf, the Australian skipper, said. “He is someone who I, and a lot of Australian rugby players, have looked up to for a long time. To have him in the dressing room is a real bonus for me, he is someone I can lean on.”
Hooper made an immediate impression with two quick-fire tackles, and he won a penalty to halt Fiji’s final charge.
“I did what I had to do,” Hooper said. “Fiji give you a scrap, they flood those offload channels, and are very good around there. Our starters did a great job of shutting that down, I just had to finish it off for us.”
I am trying to find out where I can impact on the game, and will take it step by step MICHAEL HOOPER