Michael Hooper-less Waratahs will be revealed as contenders or pretenders
THE saga over Israel Folau’s availability has taken up all of the spotlight this week, but the real question is whether the Waratahs can make the finals without captain Michael Hooper.
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THE saga over Israel Folau’s availability has taken up all of the spotlight this week, but the real question is whether the Waratahs can make the finals without captain Michael Hooper.
That will go a long way to being answered on Friday night when the Tahs take on rivals Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park, in a game set to decide the Australian conference finalist.
Already, the Rebels are piling on the pressure, with skipper Tom English talking about how big a hole Hooper will leave after being ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring strain.
“He’s definitely their energiser bunny — his workrate is immense,” English said.
“He’s also a really good leader but in saying that they have guys who can step up.
“Without Hooper, Will Miller gets an opportunity and he was exceptional when he was down here playing with us so we’re not going to take him lightly.”
Hooper has missed just 53 minutes of rugby for NSW in 93 games. The injury, suffered last Saturday when the Wallabies lost to Ireland, means he’ll be sidelined until the semi-finals, if the Tahs make it.
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They can take a huge step towards that goal by defeating the Rebels, who are their only realistic rivals for top spot in the Aussie conference, one competition point behind.
Victory would catapult them clear and with home games to come against the Sunwolves and Brumbies, NSW would be favoured to secure their first finals place since 2015.
But without Hooper’s leadership, boundless energy, knack for big plays and speed around the ground, the Tahs have lost a huge weapon.
Whether they can retain the backrow intensity that allows them to play with their characteristic flair will be clear against Melbourne with the rejigged combination of Miller, Ned Hanigan and Michael Wells.
“Wellsy and Will are very good at doing their jobs, it’s probably more me just getting those finer details as a backrower here at the Tahs,” Hanigan said.
“I think it’ll gel pretty well.”
And as Hanigan noted, the Rebels are missing their own regular skipper Adam Coleman, also injured in last Saturday’s Test.
“Their lineout, their set-piece, Coleman’s their leader down there, so it is a big loss for them,” Hanigan said.
“But they’ve got guys stepping into that role, and just like us if Israel doesn’t play, that’ll do a job.
“They play a lot of good footy off big, one-out carries.
“If we can stop that, we’ll have a good day at the office.”
Last time they met, NSW hammered the Rebels 51-27 in round five. Melbourne has won just two of 14 games against the Tahs and have yet to make the finals in their seven-year history.