Argentina v Australia Sun, 7/8/2022, 5:10 am

[LeCheese]

McReight gets his big break. Let’s see what he can do

 

[Adam84]

Hooper stepping away from the tour for a "mindset issue", Slipper to captain, McReight to 7:

Hooper leaves Wallabies tour for break after admitting ‘mindset’ struggle

Captain Michael Hooper has flown out of Argentina after informing Wallabies management and players he wasn’t in the right headspace to play.

www.smh.com.au

Hopefully he's doing ok and takes the time he needs.

fully support this, it takes a lot of courage to admit you’re not in the right space mentally to do the job, especially in a high profile role like Wallabies captain.

 

[LeCheese]

Really like the way that SMH have reported on this - very responsible and positive journalism.

I dread the reaction that will no doubt come from the “take a spoonful of cement and harden up” crowd.

 

[Namerican]

Really like the way that SMH have reported on this - very responsible and positive journalism.

I dread the reaction that will no doubt come from the “take a spoonful of cement and harden up” crowd.

There's no one in Australia harder than Michael Hooper and anyone that takes a shot at him is a fool.

 

[Ignoto]

Ah shit, feel for the bloke. I can only imagine that flight home by yourself will be painful.

Hopefully anti-depressants aren't on the banned substance list so he can get a chance to combat that chemical imbalance.

 

[Pfitzy]

There's no one in Australia harder than Michael Hooper and anyone that takes a shot at him is a fool.

Maybe any of the armchair critics could have a training session with him?

 

[Oracle83]

Maybe any of the armchair critics could have a training session with him?

Must have been an incredibly hard call - more to come on this I am sure

 

[Lyall]

No “ casual supporter” is getting up at 5am to watch the test

I understand why they won't televise it, but it then makes me a casual supporter!

5am is a sleep in for some people...

 

[dru]

Test curse strikes Rennie's WB's again. [When do the injuries start?]

Hey Hoops all behind you mate. Big chance for McReight.

 

[Derpus]

Hooper stepping away from the tour for a "mindset issue", Slipper to captain, McReight to 7:

Hooper leaves Wallabies tour for break after admitting ‘mindset’ struggle

Captain Michael Hooper has flown out of Argentina after informing Wallabies management and players he wasn’t in the right headspace to play.

www.smh.com.au

Hopefully he's doing ok and takes the time he needs.

Man I hope he's okay. The pressure of being an international sportsman must be insane.

 

[Marce]

This is a MASSIVE opportunity for McReight, prove everybody that you are capable to shine at test level.

Liam Gill and Sean McMahon would have killed for this chance, Hooper had an opportunitty like this in 2012 and took it with both hands.

Come on Fraser!

 

[The Nomad]

What about the game in NZ?

Article on Rugby Xplorer has the Wallabies v Argentina available only on Stan , but the games against SA and NZ will be telecast on channel 9.

 

[Marce]

I understand why they won't televise it, but it then makes me a casual supporter!

5am is a sleep in for some people...

For me, all the games playing in Australia are at that time and when the games are in NZ are even earlier, about 3am. And I watch almost all the games on live lol

 

[Derpus]

For me, all the games playing in Australia are at that time and when the games are in NZ are even earlier, about 3am. And I watch almost all the games on live lol

Can I ask where you are from? (could probably guess by time zone but I cbf doing that kinda math)

 

[7137]

Very courageous of Hoops to step back. It’s also a great message to send as a high profile athlete in a male dominated sport to show it’s ok to not be ok.

 

[Joe Blow]

He is a champ all around.

 

[Wilson]

A bit of info getting (understandably) lost in the Hooper story - Porecki confirmed out of the second test as well as the first due to his concussion and has headed home with Hooper:

Hooper will head back to Australia with Waratahs and Manly teammate Dave Porecki, who is out for the rest of the Argentina tour after suffering a head knock.

 

[7137]

A bit of info getting (understandably) lost in the Hooper story - Porecki confirmed out of the second test as well as the first due to his concussion and has headed home with Hooper:

I wonder if he was very unlikely to play anyway and then when Hooper was heading back they felt it was a good idea for him to have some company on the flight.

 

[The Nomad]

Wouldn’t it have been the reason behind calling Pollard into the squad?

 

[Wilson]

I wonder if he was very unlikely to play anyway and then when Hooper was heading back they felt it was a good idea for him to have some company on the flight.

Yeah, I think he received the head knock on Monday, so the 12 day stand down takes him through to game day, so it was always going to be unlikely he played. Maybe only a slim chance but no reason to send him home, until now when there is a very good one.

Wouldn’t it have been the reason behind calling Pollard into the squad?

Absolutely brought in as cover for Porecki, but it hadn't been confirmed that he'd miss the 2nd test yet, at least as far as I was aware.