Waratahs star Michael Hooper says NSW must copy dodgy breakdown tactic being used by Super Rugby rivals
Michael Hooper has been studying a lot more footage of rival teams since stepping down as Waratahs captain, and he’s noticed a major concern.
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Rival teams are being allowed to infringe at the breakdown without punishment, Waratahs star has Michael Hooper declared after watching several games on video.
Hooper stepped back from NSW captaincy duties this year and it has given him time to study other teams far more closely, and he says he’s picked up a worrying trend.
“I’m surprised at the breakdown, I’m surprised at how referees are allowing guys I don’t think to support their weight,” Hooper said.
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“So [I’m] seeing a lot of guys, particularly tall guys, with their legs pretty much extended and their forearms quite in and around the ground, with no potential to steal the ball, and they’re getting away with it.
“They’re doing it well, teams are doing it really well, and we’re probably not doing it as well as we could be, particularly for someone like myself looking at how we can turn over ball and get the ball back so we can attack.
“I think we’re missing a trick there.
“If that’s the way the game is going to be refereed then we have to start adapting to that.”
Fox Sports Stats reveal NSW has the worst turnover rate in Super Rugby this season, averaging 16 per game.
They’ve conceded 12 breakdown turnovers (third worst overall) and 28 ruck and maul penalties (seventh worst), with 62 per cent of their conceded penalties coming at the breakdown.
The Waratahs have lost four of five games in 2020 and sit second-last on the ladder, and their failure to secure their own ball at the breakdown was most noticeable last Friday when they conceded 38 second-half points to suffer a 51-14 loss to the Chiefs.
Now they face the tough trip to Canberra to face Australian conference leaders the Brumbies on Sunday afternoon.
However, Hooper is using the Chiefs as an example for the Tahs not to give up on their playoff hopes despite making their worst start to a season in history.
“It’s not dead in the water, five games into an 18-round season,” Hooper said.
“The Chiefs went 0 and five last year and made finals.
“So while we've made it very hard for ourselves, or harder, after dropping particularly the first three games, we've still got a lot to play for.
“And this week is fantastic. We're going to go down there and play on Sunday arvo – it's meant to be fantastic weather, the Brumbies are on top of their game at the moment. They've been exceptional in all parts.
“They've just traditionally been a really strong set-piece team, but they're showing a lot in attack and defence.”
New Tahs coach Rob Penney let his frustration be known after the capitulation to the Chiefs, saying: “It’s just embarrassing and it’s really tough on our supporters and the people who believe in these boys and want them do well.
“It’s not acceptable.”
Hooper said the frank public spray would not divide the team.
“You’ve got to adapt to different coaches,” Hooper said.
“I’m not going to compare coaches, there’s different ways of going about things and we’re taking that in our stride.
“Obviously 38 points in the second half hurt us a lot, so we’ve to got to continue to stay tight so we can build.”
Originally published as Waratahs star Michael Hooper says NSW must copy dodgy breakdown tactic being used by Super Rugby rivals