Former Wallabies and Waratahs captain Michael Hooper played only 19 minutes across five sevens matches at the weekend in Hong Kong to kick-start his bid to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics.

The significance of the moment was not lost on anyone as Hooper ran out with No.77 on his back – he is, after all, a No.7 playing sevens.

It has certainly been an eventful nine months for Hooper but the sight of the 32-year-old back on a rugby pitch would have warmed the hearts of most Australian rugby fans who were stunned by his World Cup omission.

Since Australia’s opening Rugby Championship match against South Africa last year, in early July, Hooper has only played what could be classed as one proper game of rugby; a Barbarians exhibition match in November.

His introduction to the frenetic world of sevens was always going to be slow and steady.

Hooper has admitted he is not the fittest or fastest in an Australian side that will challenge for a medal when the Olympics begin in July.

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is aiming to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics. Credit: Dion Georgopoulous

Australia’s men’s side finished fourth in Hong Kong following a 26-7 semi-final loss to New Zealand.

The team played six matches in three days and Hooper took part in all but one of them.

QOSHE - The moment Michael Hooper showed he was up to the challenge of sevens - Tom Decent
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The moment Michael Hooper showed he was up to the challenge of sevens

11 0
08.04.2024

Former Wallabies and Waratahs captain Michael Hooper played only 19 minutes across five sevens matches at the weekend in Hong Kong to kick-start his bid to represent Australia at the Paris Olympics.

The significance of the moment was not lost on anyone as Hooper ran out with No.77 on his back – he is, after all, a No.7 playing........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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