The moment Michael Hooper showed he was up to the challenge of sevens

Former Wallabies and Waratahs captain Michael Hooper played only 19 minutes across five matches at the Hong Kong Sevens over the weekend as he kick-started his bid to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics.

The significance of the moment was not lost on anyone as Hooper ran out with No.77 on his back – he is, after all, a No.7 playing sevens.

It has certainly been an eventful nine months for Hooper but the sight of the 32-year-old back on a rugby pitch would have warmed the hearts of most Australian rugby fans who were stunned by his World Cup omission.

Since Australia’s opening Rugby Championship match against South Africa last year, in early July, Hooper has only played what could be classed as one proper game of rugby; a Barbarians exhibition match in November.

His introduction to the frenetic world of sevens was always going to be slow and steady.

Hooper has admitted he is not the fittest or fastest in an Australian side that will challenge for a medal when the Olympics begin in July.

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is aiming to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics. Credit: Dion Georgopoulous

Australia’s men’s side finished fourth in Hong Kong following a 26-7 semi-final loss to New Zealand.

The team played six matches in three days and Hooper took part in all but one of them.

The 125-Test Wallaby came off the bench in his team’s first four matches, averaging 2½ minutes in each game.

The most Hooper played was four minutes and 30 seconds against Canada, when Australia had already built up a 24-0 lead. In the quarter-final against South Africa, Hooper only came on with 28 seconds remaining.

He was not used in the semi-final against the Kiwis.

Michael Hooper takes a selfie with fans at the end of the men’s third place match between Australia and Ireland. Credit: AP

However, Hooper was given almost eight minutes in the third-placed play-off against Ireland to get used to the pace of sevens.

With modest expectations – given he plays XVs as a forward – Hooper held his own and showed he could be an asset before and during the Olympics.

Hooper’s work over the ball at breakdowns is undoubtedly one of his strongest suits and that was on display in his first match against Fiji.

His perfectly executed turnover, with Australia camped deep in their own half, was met with roars of approval from teammates who ran from everywhere to pat a grinning Hooper on the head.

It was Hooper’s trademark in Bledisloe Cup matches, World Cups and Super Rugby derbies.

In a game of such fine margins, if Hooper can get to breakdowns and win one turnover per game, coach John Manenti would probably take that.

Even in his first minute on debut, Hooper made two tackles inside three seconds and helped force a knock-on.

In terms of fitness, there were times when Hooper looked tired after an extended period of ball in play. However, he worked hard to get back in Australia’s defensive line. His fitness will improve over the coming months with more match practice.

Hooper’s left-to-right pass might not be as crisp as others but he tended to lurk in the wider channels, like he does in XVs, meaning he won’t need to pass the ball as often.

Michael Hooper and Australian sevens coach John Manenti chat about his future.Credit: Rugby Australia

Hooper also featured in the front row over the weekend – sevens scrums only have one row – and lifted in lineouts.

He is far from the finished package but helped contribute to wins and didn’t make any glaring errors.

Whether Manenti believes Hooper is good enough to be selected in Australia’s Olympic squad remains to be seen.

Australia have tournaments in Singapore (May 3-5) and Madrid (May 31-June 2) before their Olympic campaign and Hooper will be desperate to gain more experience.

“I was bloody nervous, I mean really nervous on the sideline,” Hooper told reporters.

“I have not started on the bench much in my career, so to come on with four minutes to go and the game in the balance, it was tough stuff.

“I will just take it step by step from here. It was a bit of a blur … it went really quick.

“I’ve loved the whole experience in Hong Kong and it’s really just solidified the decision to come in and try a new challenge.

“This was an absolute crash course for me and [learning] how I can try and impact this game and contribute to our team.”

Watch all the action from the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with every match ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.