Former Wallabies captain voices concerns over ‘flat’ performance while he wants to see struggling playmaker given ‘another chance’
Former Wallabies captain voices concerns over 'flat' performance while claiming struggling playmaker should be given 'another chance'
Like many Wallabies supporters on Saturday, Michael Hooper was left feeling “a little bit flat” after seeing his side thumped by the British and Irish Lions in the opening Test match of the 2025 tour.
Michael Hooper left ‘flat’
Speaking to Sky Sports following the 19-27 loss, former Wallabies captain Hooper started with the positives, saying: “The Wallabies showed some really good signs, and maybe a bit of a blueprint of what they need to play 80 minutes of in Melbourne next week.”
But it wasn’t long before the 33-year-old admitted that he felt “a little bit flat”. Ever the optimist, Hooper tried to look on the bright side, but it was clear that he was expressing some concern for the national side.
“I’m excited by some really positive signs, but it was an interesting lead-up to the game,” he continued. “The players that they picked, the team that Joe decided to go with, was always going to be interesting. So it was really a learning experience for me sitting there tonight and trying to work out what this team’s trying to do.”
Speaking about how important the match was for the Wallabies, Hooper said: “It’s going to be valuable. This team is two games into their season. The Lions are well-versed on where they are at this point in time.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what the Wallabies do. They had a new 10 in Tom Lynagh starting tonight. Do they roll him out again for next week? I would like to see him get another chance. I’d hate to see too many changes come in from the Wallabies.”
Speaking about players that could make a difference, Hooper noted: “Will Skelton and Rob Valetini just give the Wallabies some really good free go forward. So it’ll be interesting to see if they come back.”
Wallabies leaving Dan Biggar disappointed
Meanwhile, former Wales captain Dan Biggar dissected the Aussie attack after being left “disappointed” by the performance. “They put a little bit of a blueprint out,” said the 35-year-old former fly-half.
“Tate McDermott was excellent when he came on. He brought some real zip to the game in terms of testing around the fringes. He brought his forwards into play a little bit, a little bit of that pick and go.
“When you pick and go against a team, you stop the line speed, and the Lions’ line speed all tour just been in your face, shutting things down. And that got to Tom Lynagh a little bit tonight; he looked a little bit lost.
“But I have to say, that’s as disappointed as I’ve been from a Wallabies team in quite a while. You think of Joe Schmidt teams, and you think of how organised they are after two or three phases. The first two or three phases, you’re on the money, everything is absolutely crisp. But tonight I felt really sorry for Tom Lynagh, because they looked really clunky tonight.”
The Wallabies will need to regroup as they desperately fight to stay alive in the series with the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.