‘One of the best to do it’: McReight’s praise for Wallabies mentor Hooper

Few players get the privilege of finishing their careers on their terms while still good enough to challenge for national team selection.

Two of Australia’s most decorated Wallabies were forced to confront their rugby mortality at the weekend. One penned his farewell, while the other hopes to delay his for a while longer despite a major setback.

Michael Hooper announced his decision to retire from Australian rugby on Sunday after missing out on selection for the Olympics, having been hampered by a run of injuries that prevented him from accumulating sufficient game time since making the switch to sevens.

Meanwhile, Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies career could be brought to an end after the 35-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a Shute Shield match on Saturday. Beale, who had only recently returned from a year on the sidelines while he fought sexual assault charges, had surgery on Monday and is likely to be out of the game for a significant period.

Wallabies back-rower Fraser McReight paid tribute to former captain Hooper on Monday, citing his selfless example to teammates on and off the field as a major influence on him as a young player.

“He’s one of the best to do it,” McReight said. “Look at the record and the numbers don’t lie, what he’s been able to do is pretty remarkable.

Wallaby Fraser McReight speaking in Coogee on Monday ahead of Saturday’s Test against Wales.Credit: Peter Rae

“He gave 110 per cent in everything he did, whether that was training or meetings. He was known for that competitiveness on the field, it wasn’t just something that happened on a Saturday, he showed it throughout the week, as a young player looking at that, it’s something I took away.”

McReight also spoke of the team’s sadness at the news of Beale’s ruptured Achilles, which will keep him out for the rest of this international season at least.

“It’s super sad and everyone’s feeling for Kurtley. It’s not what anyone really wants to hear — someone doing their Achilles or a major injury like that,” McReight said. “I’m sure everyone’s probably sent him a message, and we’re really feeling for him.”

McReight and the rest of the Wallabies squad have had a short lead-in under new coach Joe Schmidt, training together for the first time last week in Brisbane ahead of this week’s camp in Sydney before Saturday’s Test against Wales at Allianz Stadium.

Coach Joe Schmidt and Fraser McReight talk during a Wallabies training session in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

McReight highlighted Schmidt’s demands on each player to know their role in the team and said that the clarity ahead of Saturday has been a pleasant change.

“There’s definitely a different vibe compared to previous years,” McReight said. “We’re all super engaged and we really want to get in front of that detail.”

The last time McReight faced Wales was when Wallabies were convincingly defeated 40-6 in the World Cup. He believes that this Saturday is an entirely different proposition.

“Everyone who was there knows it was difficult and a tough pill to swallow, but everyone took lessons,” McReight said.

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