Wallabies striker coach Dan McKellar revealed that captain Michael Hooper is unsure of facing the world champions Springboks on Sunday as James O’Connor looms as a potential director’s savior on the Gold Coast.
Hooper’s inspirational performance was a beacon during three Bledisloe Cup defeats and the flanker fielded another round of warrior in the 38-21 defeat to the All Blacks in Perth.
The 29-year-old was forced to leave the field after heavy contact with Brodie Retallick and returned wearing the headgear to play the game.
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Hooper spoke to Nine and Stan Sport shortly after the defeat but did not attend the post-match press conference as he received stitches to his head.
In tonight’s edition of The rugby’s paradise, Sean Maloney asked McKellar if the skipper would be able to support South Africa, who are 2-0 in the rugby league after beating Argentina twice at home.
The team will be named on Friday.
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“Hopefully,” said McKellar, the Brumbies manager for his first year with the Wallabies.
“You talk about impressive players – my respect has always been high for hoops – he moved to another level after coaching him.
“He is a phenomenal footballer, he has turned into a great leader and leads his actions, week after week after week.
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“So I’m sure Dave (Rennie) will give him all the time he needs to be okay by Sunday night.
Because beating the Springboks is a tough question, doing it without your captain and currently our best player, consistently, would be a big request.
“But Hoops loves wearing the gold jersey and representing his country and I know he will do everything he can to be right.”
The rugby’s paradise Panel member Morgan Turinui also suggested a return for O’Connor, who has not played since trans-Tasman Super Rugby due to a groin injury.
Young Noah Lolesio did a good job against France in five rounds, but struggled to assert himself against the All Blacks.
“The idea was that he would be fit for this week, if he did, then you would think he would (start),” Turinui said of O’Connor.
“Hodgey (Reece Hodge) as a full-back could add some balance and you go (Hunter) Paisami and (Samu) Kerevi together?”
“Talk about brutality, do you have a crack with those two in midfield?”
Former Wallaby Turinui pointed out that Australia actually got the better of a number of statistical categories in Perth, dominating the territory and enjoying solid set pieces.
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But once again they were outclassed and outdone in the kicking department as New Zealand dabbled in wiretapping and other wallaby mistakes.
“So it is very important to perform their core skills under fatigue and pressure and their decision making just needs to keep improving,” Turinui said.
“It’ll just be time together, continuing to do it, they just have to keep punching, right?”
Another former Wallaby, Justin Harrison, said there are “no more excuses” for an Australian team that has collapsed to seventh in the world rankings.
“We know they are hungry to learn and to put something in the shirt that guarantees the work they are clearly doing,” said Harrison.
“And when your back to the wall and there is no excuse, there are actually no secrets. The answers will be given in the mud, at kick-off time.
“Marry some brutality with attention to detail and we’ll start seeing some more complete performances.”
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