Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is providing his former Waratahs teammates with support and wise counsel as a proud rugby state teeters on the brink of full-blown crisis.
Former NSW skipper Hooper is on sabbatical with Toyota Verblitz in Japan and the Baby Tahs are struggling badly in his absence, 0-3 in Super Rugby AU including record losses to the Reds and Brumbies.
Coach Rob Penney is under increasing pressure and the Sydney Morning Herald reported that his future was discussed in an emergency meeting of a NSW Rugby high performance panel on Tuesday night.
SIGN UP: The only place rugby fans can watch every match is Stan Sport. Start a 30 day free trial now, for a limited time only
NSW chairman Roger Davis has also returned from a hiking trip in Tasmania and addressed the myriad issues in an interview with The Australian.
Hooper played under Penney last season and will return to sky blue next year.
"Yeah, obviously it's a tough time back in NSW Waratah land," Hooper told Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven from Japan on Tuesday night.
"I've been keeping in touch with some of the players, checking in and talking to them about how things can be turned around very quickly.
"I've been in environments where that has happened and these guys are working really hard, they're staying positive and doing what they can.
"There's no question that they want to turn the results around and they're doing everything in their power."
READ MORE: Reds to unleash Vunivalu for Brumbies clash
READ MORE: Force's hilarious Adele changing room tribute
READ MORE: Brutal shot earns Brumbies captain hefty ban
Hooper has experienced the highs and lows of NSW rugby, leading the team to their maiden 2014 Super Rugby title but bearing the brunt of the post-Michael Cheika freefall.
Apart from COVID-19 limiting his cultural immersion in Japan, the 29-year-old said he was enjoying the change of scenery.
In stark contrast to the Tahs, Toyota are 3-0 and riding high in the Top League with a squad steered by Steve Hansen and Simon Cron that also features serious star-power in Hooper, Kieran Read and Willie le Roux.
"It's a challenge, it's a different style of rugby," Hooper said.
"The footy is fast, there's a lot of points in games, usually from both teams, so it makes for different rugby - quite different to Test rugby where there's a few less points more often than not.
"It's been a good adjustment."
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!
No comments:
Post a Comment