Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper is bracing himself for a tough physical battle from the Springboks in Saturday's clash in Perth.
Hooper is hoping to replicate the injured David Pocock's pilfering role against the Boks who will start the Test without a specialist openside flanker.
The 20-year-old expects a battering from his opponents at the breakdown but also sees the absence of a ball-poaching loose forward from the South Africans as a chance for him to make his mark in the Test arena.
"I guess when you're going for a turnover or putting your head in the breakdown, they come in flying," Hooper told AAP.
"But in saying that, you've got a bit of an opportunity, a bit of a window to force a turnover, because they are bigger blokes.
"They probably will be a step or two (slower) than if they were playing a traditional seven.
"There's opportunities there, but you've got to be prepared to be belted."
Former Wallabies flanker George Smith was the player Hooper idolised when he was growing up and he recently received a call from his hero when he was chosen as Pocock's replacement for the Test against the All Blacks in Auckland.
"It was nice to hear from a legend like him," Hooper said.
"He gave me some little words of wisdom about what to expect.
"I got to spend his last year in Australia with him down at the Brumbies and I learned a lot off him.
"He's a great bloke off the field as well as player on."
Comments
melkdave says...
Really im susprised ,his expecting a physical onsluaght,from the bokke .Its not as if they are renowned for being physical,everyone is always saying their pussycats,and if you tickle their bellys they purr.Of course im being ironic ,and of course the bokke are going to be very physical,they are every game..He is right about the lack of a specilist openside though,given the bokke recent breakdown woes ,that does seem a very strange omission,in the starting 15.Will it cost the bokke ,i really dont know truth be told,alot depends on Australias 1st up tackling,and if they can cope with the physicality.Have to say HMs persistance with the crash and kick is worrying,but at least he seems to have players on the bench ,who maybe able to tweak/expand the gameplan like Goosen ,and F.Louw,to fight at the breakdown
Posted 13:28 05th September 2012
georgesmith says...
Great pix. It says it all. Young M.Hooper in warrior-like pose and in the background, over-rated B. Barnes with hands on his hips as if he is on a stroll in the park. Players like him, N.Sharpe, D. Dennis and K.Beale have made a big joke of the Wallabies brand while R. Deans player selection is outrageous. How do we get rid of him?
Posted 12:59 05th September 2012
georgesmith says...
What a fierce competitor, M. Hooper. A kind of player, who can carry a team on his broad shoulders. Impressive to learn that G. Smith spent time mentoring him. Good on you George! It's a shame really that overall Wallabies don't have individual performers like M.Hooper. At least, R. Deans could have kept faith in L.Gill. He used L. Gill at 6 against ABs but doesn't want to do the same against Springboks and all this in favour of a liability-type player like D. Dennis, who becomes invisible during Test matches. It's a real shame Mr. R. Deans. You need to go.
Posted 12:54 05th September 2012