Michael Hooper’s long-awaited Super Rugby return excites Waratahs
The Waratahs will have one almighty trump card in their deck this weekend – record-breaking Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.
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The imminent return of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is set to help the Waratahs “raise the intensity” when they meet the Fijian Drua on Friday night.
The Wallabies’ most-capped captain of all time, Hooper will come off the bench for his first Super Rugby game since the last round of the 2020 season.
Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco is also set to play his first game of the season as the Waratahs look to bounce back from last week’s loss to bitter rivals the Queensland Reds.
“It’s awesome having those two back, especially the likes of Hoops and that leadership,” said Lalakai Foketi, who re-signed with the Waratahs on Thursday.
“We can take a bit of leadership and a bit of structure from when he comes on and just listen to him. He’s one of the best players in the world.
“The young boys are relishing the opportunity to jump on the field with him, which is awesome.”
Fellow Waratah Jed Holloway added: “The inclusions this week, Hoops coming back and being in the full swing of things … just raise the intensity.”
Foketi said Hooper’s presence inspired the Waratahs to go the extra mile at training ahead of the round 7 clash.
“You see Hoops there leading the way, the young boys want to be right up next to him and not fall behind,” he said.
“He’s just a leader by nature. Everyone’s on their toes on the field, you want to impress him and you want to do well.”
Holloway said the Tahs were hungry to return to the winner’s circle but couldn’t underestimate the Drua – one of the competition’s two new teams.
“Fiji are a super dangerous team,” he said.
“They’ve really come into their own the last few weeks and they come home strong.
“We need fresh, fit bodies out there late because they can definitely surge in that 70 to 80-minute mark.”
Originally published as Michael Hooper’s long-awaited Super Rugby return excites Waratahs
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