Michael Hooper: ‘I hope I didn’t piss anyone off too much… and get my head taken off’
Wallabies legend Michael Hooper working as a pundit for Stan Sport in Australia.
Michael Hooper admits that his return to playing could be fraught with danger, not least from players who could have been angry with his punditry stint.
The flanker announced on Wednesday that he would be returning to the field after agreeing a short-term deal in Japan.
He has been signed following an injury to Pieter-Steph du Toit and it will be his first foray in XVs since the Barbarians’ clash with Wales in November 2023.
Hooper switched to sevens in 2024 in an attempt to make the Australia squad for the Olympic Games in Paris, but his body did not stand up to the shorter format.
Hooper moving into punditry
In between his time on the pitch, the back-rower also decided to try his hand at punditry with Stan Sport and was a regular feature for those watching on Australian TV.
The 33-year-old was always measured in his comments but there is always the concern for Hooper that he could have upset someone along the way.
“I’m really thankful for Stan. I did get cut from some teams and each time was picked up by Stan, to be a part of the World Cup and the Olympics in a different way,” he told Wide World of Sports.
“I’ve been enjoying trying to explain the game from a player’s point of view. So that’s been enjoyable and I hope I didn’t piss anyone off too much now that I’ve got to play again and get my head taken off, so we’ll see how we go.”
Hooper was convinced to join Toyota by Sir Steve Hansen and, providing everything goes smoothly in regards to his visa, they will link up for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.
“I’m just stoked. It’s a bit of a Hail Mary that we didn’t see coming. There was some discussions a while back but this has really developed in pretty much a week’s time,” the openside said.
The Wallaby centurion has always been open to an overseas opportunity should the right one arise, despite announcing his retirement from “Australian Rugby” last year.
“What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career. To the Aussie Sevens team, I wish you all the best you’ve been an awesome, helpful, and talented group of athletes to be part of,” Hooper wrote on Instagram last June.
“As for my time in Australian Rugby, I’m grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout. We’ve shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories. Thank you.”
Tributes
That led to widespread tributes with Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh saying: “Michael has been an incredible player and ambassador for our sport.
“He leaves a legacy that will remember him as one of the greatest to wear the Wallaby gold and a favourite among Australian supporters.
“Michael’s incredibly well respected here and around the world, and on behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
