Australia sevens coach takes a jab at Eddie Jones after signing Michael Hooper for Paris Olympics
After hiring the former Wallabies captain for a season, Australian sevens coach John Manenti took a jab at Eddie Jones for implying that Michael Hooper wasn’t a strong role model for young players. Hooper’s ability to motivate and lead his team played a major influence in the choice.
Hooper will have another opportunity to sign off in a gold shirt at Paris 2024, as the Sydney Morning Herald reported in September, having signed a one-year sevens contract with Rugby Australia. Hooper will begin a full-time role with the Australian sevens squad in January, as per the arrangement that was formally revealed on Thursday.
After 11 years as a Wallaby, Hooper was expected to say goodbye to the national team, but Jones controversially left him out of the Rugby World Cup roster. The Sydney Morning Herald was informed by Jones before his resignation three weeks ago that he had cut Hooper, Quade Cooper, and Bernard Foley because they were not “the right role models for the team going forward.” Initially, the exclusion was attributed to a calf injury.
Eddie Jones, left, omitted Michael Hooper from Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad.
Eddie Jones, left, omitted Michael Hooper from Australia’s Rugby World Cup squad.
“I strongly disagree with those comments and I don’t know why they needed to be said, to be honest,” Manenti said.
If nothing else, Hooper’s reputation has been built on being a good role model, having a strong work ethic, and having a strong training ethic. I was informed enough when the number of players who made public statements following those comments became public.
John Manenti, the Australian sevens coach, stated that Michael Hooper is a prime example of an excellent role model.John Manenti, the Australian sevens coach, stated that Michael Hooper is a prime example of an excellent role model.
His unwavering adherence to his principles and convictions may cause annoyance to certain others. He might occasionally anger me too; that’s the nature of strong-willed individuals who strive to be the greatest. We may disagree, but that’s a good thing because you want to push each other to grow and to be challenged yourself.
The possibility of competing in an Olympic Games in July, where he might face legendary France captain Antoine Dupont—who has also committed to play sevens and will forego the Six Nations in order to train for the Games—excites Hooper.
It would be a breathtaking encounter. To enter that milieu, there is a lot of water under the bridge, Hooper said to Today on Thursday.
“These are the people I trained with. They can run indefinitely and are ravenous. Surprisingly, I’m one of the heavier guys on the team. That must be fantastic.
Hooper, who has only participated in one sevens tournament—the 2009 Kiama Sevens for Manly—knows he will have to undergo a significant physical adjustment. This is especially true given that he is thirty-two years old and that sevens training requires an intense blend of endurance and repeated high-speed efforts.
“I guess the benefit of not having to carry as much bulk is going to be good,” Hooper said.
“You know, you’re not playing 130-150 kilo blokes week in, week out, but you’re playing guys that can run 10 metres a second. So we’ve got to change my body to fit into that mould.”
Michael Hooper will be hoping to feature at next year’s Paris Olympics.
Michael Hooper will be hoping to feature at next year’s Paris Olympics.
It would be a breathtaking encounter. To enter that milieu, there is a lot of water under the bridge, Hooper said to Today on Thursday.
“These are the people I trained with. They can run indefinitely and are ravenous. Surprisingly, I’m one of the heavier guys on the team. That must be fantastic.
Hooper, who has only participated in one sevens tournament—the 2009 Kiama Sevens for Manly—knows he will have to undergo a significant physical adjustment. This is especially true given that he is thirty-two years old and that sevens training requires an intense blend of endurance and repeated high-speed efforts.
“I am prepared to be patient with him … it’ll be a build-up,” Manenti said.
“I know it’d be a wonderful story to have him running on in Perth at the end of January but we will only consider that if he’s ready, and he’s earned selection. It may be a push too far. We will wait and see, but we’ll definitely err on the side of caution.”
Eddie Jones has quit as Wallabies coach.
Eddie Jones has quit as Wallabies coach.
In a handful of sessions so far, Manenti said the impact of Hooper on the Australian sevens squad has already been obvious.
“He openly admits he has to learn the game, he has to get conditioned, there is lots of stuff around that,” Manenti said.
“We know he’s hard on the ball, we know he has a big engine and we know he’s pretty tough. They’re not bad assets to have.
“The boys will be greatly impacted by his leadership, professionalism, and general skill set. We’ve already had a couple training sessions with him, and every time he walks in, the guys get even more excited and involved. The caliber improves. A man says, “Ah sorry, mate, sorry,” if he misses a pass by two percent. “You didn’t apologize for that last week,” I think to myself.
