Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar has revealed banged up captain Michael Hooper is no certainty to tackle the world champion Springboks on Sunday as James O’Connor looms as a potential playmaking saviour on the Gold Coast.
Hooper’s inspirational performances have been a beacon during three Bledisloe Cup beatings and the flanker put in another warrior shift in the 38-21 loss to the All Blacks in Perth.
The 29-year-old was forced from the field after heavy contact with Brodie Retallick and returned wearing headgear to play out the match.
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Hooper spoke to Nine and Stan Sport immediately after the loss but did not attend the post-match press conference as he received stitches to his head.
On tonight’s edition of Rugby Heaven, Sean Maloney asked McKellar whether the skipper would be able to back up against South Africa, who are 2-0 in the Rugby Championship after twice beating Argentina at home.
The team will be named on Friday.
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“Hopefully,” said McKellar, the Brumbies coach in his first year working with the Wallabies.
“You talk about impressive players – my respect has always been high for Hoops – it’s gone to another level after coaching him.
“He’s a phenomenal footballer, turned himself into a great leader and he just leads through his actions, week after week after week.
“So I’m sure Dave (Rennie) will give him as much time as he needs to be right for Sunday night.
“Because beating the Springboks is a tough ask, doing it without your captain and currently our best player, consistently, would be a big ask.
“But Hoops loves wearing the gold jersey and representing his country and I know he’ll be doing everything he can to be right.”
Rugby Heaven panellist Morgan Turinui also tipped a return for O’Connor, who has not played since Super Rugby trans-Tasman due to a groin injury.
Youngster Noah Lolesio did a good job against France at five-eighth but has struggled to assert himself against the All Blacks.
“The idea was he’ll be fit for this week, if that runs along that way then you’d assume he would (start),” Turinui said of O’Connor.
“Hodgey (Reece Hodge) at fullback could add a little bit of balance and do you go (Hunter) Paisami and (Samu) Kerevi in there together?
“You talk about brutality, do you have a crack with those two in midfield?”
Former Wallaby Turinui pointed out that Australia actually had the better of a number of statistical categories in Perth, dominating territory and enjoying a solid set-piece.
But again they were outclassed and outthought in the kicking department while New Zealand feasted on intercepts and other Wallabies errors.
“So it’s very much around execution of their core skills under fatigue and pressure and their decision making just needs to continue to get better,” Turinui said.
“That’ll just be time together, continuing to do it, they’ve just got to keep punching along don’t they?”
Another former Wallaby, Justin Harrison, said there were “no more excuses” for an Australian side that has slumped to seventh in the world rankings.
“We know they’re hungry to learn and put something in the jersey that warrants the work that they’re clearly putting in,” Harrison said.
“And when your backs are against the wall and there are no excuses – there are no secrets in fact. The answers will be provided in the dirt come kick off.
“Marry some brutality with attention to detail and we’ll start to see some more complete performances.”