SAINT-ETIENNE: Tom Hooper provided some welcome light relief during one of the darkest weeks in Australian rugby history.
Make no mistake, the 22-year-old from Bathurst is hurting just as much as the next Wallaby after the 40-6 Rugby World Cup humiliation against Wales in Lyon.
The flanker said that loss "will fuel me for the rest of my career" and had already warned younger brother Lachlan – a Junior Wallaby – about some early morning training sessions in the off-season.
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But Hooper had thankfully not lost that Honey Badger-esque sense of humour that he showcased in happier times a fortnight ago.
"It took a couple of days to grieve on that," Hooper said.
"And now, like the penguins from Madagascar, we come out smiling and wave at the boys and get on with the job and make sure that we put two good training days in and we're looking forward to Sunday."
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Here's some more Hooper hot takes ahead of Monday's (AEST) clash with Portugal at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
On the merits of the Mona Lisa…
"I already saw it on a day off and I wasn't that impressed, to be honest. I preferred some of the other works, they were very impressive for me."
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On whether he is an impressionist or a Renaissance man…
"I don't know what any of that means, but I thought some of the shadowing on some of those paintings was pretty cool and the sculptures were pretty cool."
On his gambling success in Wallabies camp…
"Nah, I'm up mate. Richie Arnold was Facetiming his kids the other day and I said, 'You've got to let them know they've got to sleep on the floor next week because I've stolen your money.'
"Ben Donaldson is pretty shocking at cards but he's improved, so it's good. Not big bets mate, I think Marika (Koroibete) wanted to get a poker set out but we were advised against it."
On whether he'd like Eddie Jones to continue next year…
"It's an interesting question. I just think everyone is really happy Eddie is our coach at the moment. We've developed really well under him as a young team. He's had a hard task to take us forward. I've certainly gained a lot from being coached under him. Whoever the coach is going forward, as a young team, and as a playing group in Australia everyone is going to put in for whoever has the job and if that's Eddie, that would be just as good. I think he's a really, really good coach and I've learned plenty off him."
On Jones' demeanour and taking the pressure off the squad…
"Same old Eddie mate. He's always cracking jokes with the guys, making sure spirits are high. He had some really encouraging words for us on the night after – and that will stay in house – but he's a great mentor. He made sure the boys were up. You can see even from his media encounters, even from the way he coaches, he is always looking after us number one, even to the point when he will sometimes fall on his sword for us."
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