Hooper to Waratahs

[tigerland12]

Michael Hooper, Australia's best breakaway prospect since David Pocock, is set to join New South Wales Waratahs next year.


The Daily Telegraph understands Hooper is on the verge of inking a deal with NSW, which will be a massive coup for their back row.
The Brumbies No.7 has been a revelation this year, earning rave reviews for brilliant performances throughout his side's ascension to the top of the Australian conference.


It's believed the Waratahs have won a three-way battle for Hooper's signature, beating the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels.
The Waratahs' No.7 jersey has been synonymous with Phil Waugh, who retired at the end of last season. This year, Pat McCutcheon, Chris Alcock and Jono Jenkins have all worn the famous jumper, with Alcock the first-choice now that McCutcheon has suffered a season-ending ankle injury.


None of the three are contracted beyond this season, and with the expected acquisition of Hooper, their futures are unclear.
Hooper was an enormous presence at the ruck against the Rebels last week, and made his mark as a bona fide champion of the future in round five when he dominated the Highlanders, who up to that point had the standout backrow in the tournament.
Hooper was named Australia's under-20 player of the year at the end of last season and is tipped as a future Wallabies breakaway.
Former Australia greats including John Eales and Brendan Cannon have been full of praise of Hooper this season, and he has established himself as a firm contender to play back-up to Wallabies flanker David Pocock along with Queensland Reds youngster Liam Gill.
Hooper, mentored by George Smith, is one of the fastest forwards in Australian rugby and his ball-pilfering skills are similar to those of Smith, who is a Brumbies legend.
Hooper made his Super Rugby debut in 2010 as an 18-year-old but it is this year that he has matured into a proven Super Rugby talent.
Hooper, who is from Sydney and played with Manly in the Shute Shield, has always hoped to return closer to family.
NSW are attempting to re-sign backrowers Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu. It is unclear whether the expected signing of Hooper could jeopardise deals with these two. Now the Rebels have failed in their bid for Hooper, they will make a big play for Pocock, however he is expected to remain at Western Force.
The loss of Hooper will be a big blow to the Brumbies, who have used him as a starting player and impact man off the bench this season.
But there was some positive news for the Brumbies on Monday, when they managed to re-sign winger Henry Speight for a further two years.
Speight, who attracted interest from Melbourne, has been a regular starter on the wing and is developing into a fine prospect

Would be the perfect signing for NSW.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Brumbies motto should be "You keep on taking them, we will keep on producing them."

 

[Richo]

I'm very happy with this. Alcock has been much improved, especially lately, but he's no game changer.

I'm particularly pleased to see the Tahs go after an up-and-comer rather than a breaking down veteran.

 

[Brumby Jack]

It sounds like Hooper's heart was in Sydney.

He has family in Sydney and his partner is also there. It seems like money isn't the issue here.

Good luck to him.

 

[laps]

Can confirm Hooper is going to Tahs.

 

[No4918]

How did they let that happen?
Maybe the rumours about the Tahs having a clean out of sorts at the end of this season has more merit than first expected. They will be struggiling to fit everyone in a salary cap if they don't move a couple on.

There is only one positive for the Brumbies. Maybe it opens the door for for them to steal Pocock.

 

[Braveheart81]

He went to St Pius X and grew up in Sydney.

I don't think it is a bizarre situation at all that he has decided to come back to Sydney. He's now estabished himself as a quality 7 and would probably be favoured to start at any Australian province except the Force.

 

[Cave Dweller]

How did they let that happen?
Maybe the rumours about the Tahs having a clean out of sorts at the end of this season has more merit than first expected. They will be struggiling to fit everyone in a salary cap if they don't move a couple on.

There is only one positive for the Brumbies. Maybe it opens the door for for them to steal Pocock.

Or it opens up the door for a youngster or future star

 

[Empire]

Wonder if this will mean selection preference will go to Colby and Ita for the rest of the season, once of course, this is 100% confirmed.

 

[wobbly]

Openside depth in Australian rugby is at an all time high.
2013:

Force: Pocock, Hodgson
Reds: Robinson, Gill
Tahs: Hooper, ?
Brumbies: Fainga'a, ?
Rebels: Saffy, ?

I presume these guys are still under contract next season or at least likely to remain where they are.

Today's articles mention that McCutcheon, Alcock and Jenkins are all off contract.

The Rebels are probably losing Lipman and Saffy's not the most effective pilferer, so they'd have to be after one of the others off contract and/or a quality overseas 7. The Tahs and Brumbies would be seeking some depth too.

 

[tigerland12]

Gill was offered a large contract by the Rebels right before he re-signed last year, mostly due to the fact he wanted to play under McKenzie. He is off-contract at the end of next season and it will be interesting to see if he stays or not. Kid with that amount of talent should be starting every week, and in QLD he isn't getting that. I can see his decision coming around where Pocock goes. If David signs with Melbourne or the Force, Gill will probably stay, but if QLD make a bid for him, Liam will be sure to leave.

Also Melbourne could do alot worse then picking up McCutcheon or Jenkins to replace Lipman, both would be decent signings.

 

[waratahjesus]

Good signing, good to see him coming home.

As with the loss of Ben Mowen,

Out of Jenkins, Alcock, Mccutchen, is it all of them the Tahs should keep or oneofthem,and which one if he decides to move on shows the Tahs poison from the core out?

 

[Lee Grant]

Wow - many's the time I wrote that Hooper should come home but I thought I was pissing in the wind. The Tahs dodged a bullet there: they could have given him a contract in 2010 after he left school but they didn't .

You couldn't blame the Tahs. Hooper had a shoulder reconstruction during his last year of school in 2009 and anyway, wouldn't Hooper hang around at the Tahs for a year or two like most ace schools forwards did so they could have a look at him as a senior player ? They could check out how his shoulder was at the same time.

Waugh was still around in 2010 and Alcock was just starting; plus they used McCutcheon from the Juniors. Hooper would have to wait a year or two. At the time I thought Hooper would take over Waugh's contract when he retired.

Instead he went to the Brumbies who took a punt on him by giving him a full contract. They started him in the S14, something I deplored since he was only 18 and had had a shoulder recon at 17.

The Brumbies will be miffed and rightly so. I criticised Friend for having three specialist opensiders contracted in his time there but now the squad is down to one - Colby Fainga'a.

McCutcheon's contract finishes this year so maybe they could do a swap as he won't be needed at the Tahs any more with Alcock there and Hooper arriving.

How the world turns.
.

 

[AlexH]

The Brumbies seem to be building a strong, competitive team culture which does the world of good for developing, young players like Michael Hooper. You would think that leaving the Brumbies is a mistake in itself but leaving them for a Waratahs organization that needs a good kick in the bum is a horrendously bad career decision.

 

[Braveheart81]

Why? This season still has a long way to go.

Hooper is likely to be the first choice 7 in a very strong forward pack (providing they can keep Dennis and hopefully Palu). If anything it could be a great career move.

 

[waratahjesus]

The Brumbies seem to be building a strong, competitive team culture which does the world of good for developing, young players like Michael Hooper. You would think that leaving the Brumbies is a mistake in itself but leaving them for a Waratahs organization that needs a good kick in the bum is a horrendously bad career decision.

You forgot your fishing emoticon there.

 

[AlexH]

Why? Maybe because the Waratahs have the most piss weak culture in Australian sport. In my, albeit, brief time, I have never known a team to be so poorly managed; show as little heart; make as many excuses; and argue with, lie to and generally mistreat their rightfully disgruntled fans who struggle to fathom why their team is so willing to lay the blame on everyone but themselves for turning the most envied player roster in Australian rugby into one of the running jokes of Super Rugby.

I generally like to see all the Australian franchises do well because I believe there is nothing better for Australian Rugby. However, for the past few years I have rooted for everyone playing the Waratahs, and not because of some inane interstate rivalry, but because I believe hitting rock bottom is the kick in the bum New South Wales Rugby needs to completely overhaul the Waratahs franchise. New coach, new support staff, a player clean out and a new culture is what the doctor ordered.

 

[Lee Grant]

I think the movement of Hooper explains why Jake has had a look at Vaea in the 7 jersey this season.

 

[AlexH]

Probably got a bit heated in that last response... I probably just have man-PMS because Richard Graham is going to do his earnest to drive the Reds into the ground next season

 

[fatprop]

I think the movement of Hooper explains why Jake has had a look at Vaea in the 7 jersey this season.

Jake has never been a fan of the "fetcher"