{"id":129742,"date":"2021-09-16T06:28:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-16T06:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=129742"},"modified":"2021-09-16T08:56:49","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T08:56:49","slug":"what-gobsmacked-coach-doesnt-get-about-hooper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=129742","title":{"rendered":"What 'gobsmacked' coach doesn't get about Hooper"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dave Rennie has declared Michael Hooper an all-time "Wallaby great" as he prepares to break George Gregan's record of 59 Tests as Australia's captain.<\/p>\n

Hooper's tenure has coincided with an average run of results by Wallabies standards and his credentials to remain leader have regularly been questioned.<\/p>\n

But while the up and down team performances continue, that chatter has been doused this season with the openside flanker at the peak of his physical and captaincy powers.<\/p>\n

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A stint in Japan's less physically demanding Top League has done the 29-year-old the world of good and the 'c' is sitting more comfortably beside his name.<\/p>\n

"If people questioned his ability as a player, I'm gobsmacked," coach Rennie told reporters on Thursday ahead of Saturday's rematch with the world champion Springboks.<\/p>\n

"If you talk to players all around the world, he's hugely respected.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Big name fall guy from Quade's fairytale Wallabies return<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Ex-Wallabies shoot down Rugby World Cup change<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> All Blacks make wholesale changes for Pumas rematch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"People's opinions are often reflected on the success of a team, and he's been the captain, so because the team loses and he's the skipper that responsibility is on him.<\/p>\n

"He's a Wallaby great. If he was playing in a different era with a team full of experienced and seasoned players and you're dominating the world, you'd go down as one of the best players in the world. I still think he'll get that mantle."<\/p>\n

"He's just so resilient. Even the other day against the All Blacks, Brodie Retallick splits him open, he gets 20 odd stitches, puts a hat on and jumps back on out there and gives the same intensity."<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rennie made minor tweaks to the side that stunned South Africa 28-26 on Sunday.<\/a><\/p>\n

Nic White, Taniela Tupou and James Slipper have come into the starting side for Tate McDermott, Allan Alaalatoa and Angus Bell respectively, with Quade Cooper retained at five-eighth and a fit James O'Connor surplus to requirements.<\/p>\n

"I've been around a while, so I've made lots of decisions over the years," Rennie said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"It's not just what they do on a game day, it's the way they're training, the way they're preparing.<\/p>\n

"We're not scared of making courageous decisions."<\/p>\n

Fullback Tom Banks has held his starting spot despite suggestions from former Wallabies Chris Latham and Elton Flatley that O'Connor could oust him at 15.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"The players and coaches have got around me, they've put a lot of confidence in me and the game plan we're trying to execute is something I'm really enjoying and has come a long way," Banks said.<\/p>\n

"You're in a Wallabies environment, everyone's competing for positions.<\/p>\n

"James is a fantastic player, he showed what he can do in Super Rugby and there's always going to be competition for spots, so you've just got to keep performing."<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dave Rennie has declared Michael Hooper an all-time "Wallaby great" as he prepares to break George Gregan's record of 59 Tests as Australia's captain. Hooper's […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129742"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=129742"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":129744,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129742\/revisions\/129744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=129742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=129742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=129742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}