ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Jul 31, 2023

The stern words Quade Cooper had for young star during All Blacks match

Wallaby veteran Quade Cooper started the match from the sidelines at the weekend, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved well before he made his way onto the pitch. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Tom Hooper, an up-and-coming talent, received his starting debut for the Wallabies at the weekend, in a match that for many of his teammates is best forgotten. During the halftime break, 35-year-old Cooper took him aside and offered valuable advice not to emulate the playing style of his namesake, Michael Hooper.

In a strategic move to assert physical dominance over New Zealand, Head Coach Eddie Jones had decided to field the 22-year-old Tom Hooper at openside flanker, instead of the smaller and agile, Fraser McReight. Hooper typically plays in the blindside flanker position for club side Brumbies, but due to his towering size, he was deemed to be the perfect man to create some physical dominance over the All Blacks.

A starting debut that Hooper will want to improve on, he explained what the animated Cooper said to him at half time.

“I probably changed my game a bit too much and Quade had some really wise words at half-time and said, ‘We need you to play more like a lock than a seven, that’s why they’ve picked a big body’,

“I probably went hunting a bit too much for the ball, if I’m being critical of myself, and I probably wasn’t as physical as I would have liked.”

The Wallaby defence has come under plenty of scrutiny following the past couple of matches, with new defence coach Brett Hodgson recieving most of the flack. Hooper was quick to defend the former NRL legend.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There are the slight tweaks but I think it’s not the framework that’s the problem,

“He’s given us a really good defensive system to work with, it’s just our ability to execute and make those one on one tackles.”
Hooper said before adding that head coach Jones was backing the side who remained tight, calling it “comforting”.

“He knows we’re all hurting, he knows we’re all humans and when you get beaten by a score like that you’re not coming off with a smile on your face,” Hooper added.

“He knows we all feel it and he’s going to channel that anger onto the training pitch and make sure we get quality work done in this week and that’s how we’re going to present a better performance.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Following their crushing defeat of 38-7 in the opening Bledisloe Cup match at the MCG, the Australian rugby team have swiftly traveled from Melbourne to Dunedin to gear up for their second encounter this coming Saturday.

Unfortunately, the Wallabies have encountered setbacks with injuries to key players. Allan Alaalatoa, who led the team during the last match, is now out of action due to a ruptured Achilles, and co-captain Michael Hooper continues to remain sidelined due to a calf issue. These absences will undoubtedly pose challenges for the side as they prepare for the upcoming game.

Related Articles

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Dan Biggar expects big name fly half to be...

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Scottish seagull causes chaos in the Italian...

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 HOURS AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Jersey Reds player evicted from own home following club collapse

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Watch Namibian wingers display incredible speed against Uruguay

View All