Michael Hooper’s place in Wallabies 33-man World Cup squad in jeopardy

Taking injured players to a World Cup and hoping they come good is dangerous and that could cost a Wallabies legend his spot.

Michael Hooper could miss the World Cup. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Nearly toppling the All Blacks in Dunedin last week with a team coach Eddie Jones said was something close to his preferred line-up should have secured plenty of places in the 33-man World Cup squad to be announced on Thursday.

But lingering injuries to the likes of Michael Hooper and even superstar centre Samu Kerevi, who broke his hand in the 23-20 loss to the Kiwis, could mean Jones has to make some tough calls as the showpiece event in France looms.

The Wallabies’ last-start effort, with 24-year-old Tate McDermott captain and 23-year-old Carter Gordon as his playmaking partner in just his fourth Test, was a fourth loss in a row for Jones’s team in a rocky start to his second stint in charge.

A final World Cup warm-up clash with France is the last chance to get a taste of success before Australia’s tournament begins against rugby minnows Georgia on September 9.

Most of the 23 who gave the All Blacks a massive fright would, injuries aside, be in the frame to make up Jones’s team for the Georgia game.

But the other 10 players to make up the squad for a campaign Jones remains adamant can achieve the ultimate success could depend on his willingness to take players he knows are not 100 per cent fit now into the tournament because of their previous capacity to deliver.

Eddie Jones appointed James Slipper and Michael Hooper co-captains in June. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

That‘s’s where Hooper, a brilliant Wallabies servant and long-time captain sits.

Hooper, who won’t be playing for the Wallabies beyond the World Cup if he gets there, is battling a calf injury that forced him to watch both Bledisloe Cup losses from the sidelines.

Jones was cagey about how bad Hooper’s injury was, although after an MCG smashing in the first clash with the Kiwis he referenced a calf injury to Matildas captain Sam Kerr and said he would “strap her up and get her out there” she was so important to her team.

“Just wait and see, just sit in your chair and wait,” Jones said in New Zealand when asked if Hooper would travel to Darwin for the Wallabies’ next camp.

The rise of Tom Hooper over the past few weeks could mean Jones has to choose between either Michael Hooper or Fraser McReight, who combined superbly with gun Rob Valetini in the back-row in Dunedin.

Prop Taniela Tupou suffered what was said to be a rib injury at the MCG that should be minor enough for him to be on the plane to France, but Jones was impressed with the performance of his replacement against New Zealand, Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili, who could have earnt a berth.

“It’s remarkable what he has done,“ Jones said after the match, with Fa’amausili’s spot also likely clinched after an achilles injury to Allan Alaalatoa.

Pone Fa’amausili and Tate McDermott are almost certain to be on the plane. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

“He’s a guy who was playing maximum 10-15 minutes of Super Rugby and not well. He’s come out here in a Test match against New Zealand and played 60 minutes and acquitted himself really well.”

Zane Nonggorr came on for Fa’amausili in Dunedin and while not as effective, the 22-year-old should be headed to France.

Other niggles suffered by Dave Porecki and Jordan Uelese and the ongoing recovery of Len Ikitau could weigh heavily on Jones, although depth in the playing ranks is not as strong for the Wallabies as in the past.

An experienced No.10, which could come from one of either Quade Cooper or Bernard Foley, looms as Jones’s likely back up for Gordon and Nic White for McDermott.

The backline remains one of the more settled after positive returns from injury for Andrew Kellaway and Jordan Petaia, with strong wing options in Mark Nawaqanitawase and Marika Koroibete, with a likely spot for NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu also.

Whatever squad Jones goes with, his confidence remains higher than most, adamant his group, with new names and old, will build to a point of success.

“Four losses are four losses but … sometimes the result sheet doesn’t reflect what you’re actually doing and that’s hard for people to understand,” he said after the loss in Dunedin.

“I think we‘re definitely moving in the right direction but we’ve got to win games.”

McDermott and Angus Bell soak up the atmosphere in Dunedin. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

POSSIBLE WALLABIES WORLD CUP SQUAD

Forwards:

Hookers: Dave Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Matt Faessler

Props: Angus Bell, James Slipper, Blake Schoupp, Taniela Tupou, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr

Locks: Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Jed Holloway

Back-row: Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson

Backs:

Halfbacks: Tate McDermott, Nic White, Ryan Lonergan

Fly-halves: Carter Gordon, Quade Cooper

Midfield: Samu Kerevi, Len Ikitau, Izaia Perese

Outside backs: Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Marika Koroibete, Andrew Kellaway

Utility: Ben Donaldson, Jordan Petaia, Dyan Pietsch.