The Sam Kerr plan the Wallabies rejected in shock Michael Hooper move
The Wallabies great believes Eddie Jones' side missed a trick by not following the Matildas' lead.
Wallaby great Tim Horan says Michael Hooper could have been used in a Sam Kerr-type role at this year's Rugby World Cup as the former Australian skipper prepares for a sad exit from the international stage. Hooper's name is tipped to be missing when Wallabies coach Eddie Jones names his 33-man squad for France on Thursday night.
The workaholic breakaway, capped 125 times by his country, has been battling a calf injury and Jones is reportedly not willing to risk taking him into the World Cup at less than 100 per cent. But Horan believes it will be a mistake to leave Hooper at home, suggesting he could have been given time to ease into the tournament like the Matildas have done with star striker Sam Kerr at the women's football World Cup.
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"It could be like the Sam situation. Michael doesn’t need to start the World Cup but he'd be handy to have at the back-end," Horan told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"He mightn't play the first couple of games but he's been to World Cups before and he'd be wonderful to have around the players. I don't know whether he's going to go but I’d take him. I would take him because of his experience."
Eddie Jones set to unveil a youthful Wallabies side
Jones' squad will have a futuristic look about it, with the coach looking to give younger players as much big match exposure as possible. That means the likes of co-captain Hooper and experienced utility Reece Hodge are unlikely to board the flight to Paris.
Hooper has captained the Wallabies on a record 69 occasions, taking on the role at the tender age of 22, and is behind only George Gregan and James Slipper for most Tests played for Australia. The 31-year-old has indicated this year will be his last on the international stage, so a World Cup axing would hit hard.
Horan is still backing Australia to perform well at the World Cup, but concedes time is running out to get it right. "Eddie's certainly put rugby back on the map but there's still a lot of work to do," he said.
"We've now lost four in a row (this year under Jones) and Australian rugby fans want to see us winning again. I don't think they will peak against France (in the pre-World Cup Test) and then they've got Georgia (in the World Cup opener).
"They just need some more time together and I reckon after Georgia they’ll be humming."
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