Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust

July 10, 2025

Game Pre & Review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday 9 July 2025

July 9, 2025

Hump Day news – in from the side

July 9, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
  • Game Pre & Review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday 9 July 2025
  • Hump Day news – in from the side
  • Noah Lolesio out of Lions series.
  • Tuesday’s Rugby news
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 160 – On Tour – Wallabies & NSW Waratahs instant reaction at Bernie’s Bar with Finn Morton
  • ACT Brumbies v the British and Irish Lions — G&GR’s Team’s podcast
  • Props and pancakes – whodunnit?
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #77: Test rugby is back baby!
  • Game Review: Wallabies v Fiji – International – Sunday 6 July 2025
  • Game Review: British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs – Lions Tour – Saturday, 5 July 2025
  • NSW Waratahs v the British and Irish Lions — G&GR’s teams podcast
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 159 – On Tour – Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions Instant Reaction w/ Lachie Grey from Scrumbags Rugby Podcast
  • Yowie on a Thursday: other rugby news roundup
  • Game Review: British & Irish Lions v Queensland Reds – Lions Tour – Wednesday 2 July 2025
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Force v the British and Irish Lions — G&GR’s teams podcast
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #76: and so it begins.
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tu’ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika — Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 160 – On Tour – Wallabies & NSW Waratahs instant reaction at Bernie’s Bar with Finn Morton

    July 7, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 159 – On Tour – Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions Instant Reaction w/ Lachie Grey from Scrumbags Rugby Podcast

    July 3, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 158 on tour – Western Force v British & Irish Lions instant reaction

    June 29, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 157 – Super Honest

    June 20, 2025

    Collab Special – The Dropped Kick-Off x Talking Teams – discussing the Wallabies squad for the Lions

    June 20, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Super Rugby»NSW Waratahs»Rugby is fun says Michael Hooper
NSW Waratahs

Rugby is fun says Michael Hooper

Lee GrantBy Lee GrantJanuary 27, 201310 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

What do you think your strengths are as an openside flanker and what do you have to work on?

I think I get through a lot of work in ball carrying and tackling and getting into a few rucks… I think it’s constantly improving those. You’re never going to have a perfect game but you can work hard on little things in a game like certain details in your tackling and your ruck work.

 

You’re not a big bopper – how do you bust tackles like you do?

No I’m not (laughs). I guess you’ve got to find different ways and use the feet to get through otherwise you’re going to get smashed. I’m not going to be running straight into big guys any time soon.

 

David Pocock - "outstanding player"
David Pocock – ‘outstanding player’

What differences are there between yourself and David Pocock in the way you play the position?

That’s a tough question. Dave is obviously an outstanding player. Probably I play a bit looser; a bit more ball-in-hand. I enjoy running and linking; those are the aspects I like to bring to my game.

 

Last year you played in your first Test, in Newcastle, four days after starting a Super Rugby match in Canberra — a hectic time?

That was a busy week. During that week we had two days up in Sydney with the Wallabies then had to fly back and play the Rebels. It was a full-on time but real exciting.

 

After that was some fine play from the bench against Wales but then came another bit of good luck/bad luck when Pocock was injured in the first Bledisloe match?

Yeah, it’s always unfortunate when people get injured but that’s the way you get your opportunity sometimes. I loved my time in the jersey [from then on]; it was a really a fun team to play with and a great time with Sharpie ending his career and people like Stephen Moore and that around.

The Wallabies’ squad is a really good environment to be in.

 

Fifteen Test matches in six months with some Super Rugby games in between was a big ask for the Wallabies and you played in 13 of the Tests – did you and the other guys get enough of a break?

We managed to get a good break in the off-season. It’s just as much a matter of managing your loads during the year – training and things like that. The games are there to be played and everybody wants to play, but you have to manage your loads week by week.

 

Some fans weren’t happy with the Wallabies’ results – all those 15 Tests could have been lost….

The thing I’ve learned during the last year is that every game is a Grand Final. It means so much to the public and it’s always going to be tough because there’s so much riding on it. The [three] blow-outs were exceptions and they’re tough [to take]; but winning most of the close ones meant we ended up having a good year.

 

You’ve had some different coaches over the last 12 months – White, Deans and now Cheika – different styles?

Yeah, all different styles but you learn a huge amount from all of them and that’s the great thing about having all these coaches because you’re learning constantly.

 

Tahs are fit
The Waratahs are fit

The Waratahs seemed to fade in games last year – what is your view of their standard of fitness at the minute?

It’s great: the guys have been absolutely getting flogged for a few months now. Everybody’s in great shape and really enjoying it; there’s a great fitness culture because of the work that’s been done.

 

Hopefully you won’t be available too much to play for Manly but it would be good to have an occasional game with brother Richard again — he had a cracking year in 2012 didn’t he?

Yeah, he did. I didn’t get the chance to play there last year but I love playing for Manly and getting to play with not only Rich, but all my other mates down there; it’s good fun.

 

Who is the faster over 40 metres – you or (winger) Rich?

Rich would be. I’d like to say myself but he’d have me easily (laughs).

Dan Palmer - crook cook
Dan Palmer – crook cook

 

You’re living with your folks in Collaroy – a bit of a change from sharing with the likes of Nic White and Dan Palmer?

Yeah — it’s a nice change (laughs). Got to catch up with them last week in [Wallabies] camp and it was great to see them, but Dan doesn’t cook as good a meal as my mum does.

 

Thanks to the HSBC Waratahs Media Unit for the ‘The Waratahs are fit’ photo.

 

 

THIS OLD BLOG IS BEING USED FOR WORDPRESS EXERCISES

 

Welcome to to Round 15 of Foreign Exchanges which keeps track of Super Rugby games not involving Aussies teams.

It’s getting down to the wire in all Conferences and two games we covered were of top importance.

Super Rugby came to Fiji for the first time as the Chiefs elected to play a home game in Suva, against the Crusaders. The Chiefs had st

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

💬 Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
👀 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
🎵 Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
🎥 Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


1 2
slide
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleYou Choose – Episode 2: Winning Kicks
Next Article The G&GR Social Pages – ACT Brumbies
Lee Grant
  • Website

Voted most valuable member of the G&GR Forum since records began - Ed.

Related Posts

Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust

July 10, 2025

Game Pre & Review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday 9 July 2025

July 9, 2025

Hump Day news – in from the side

July 9, 2025

Tuesday’s Rugby news

July 8, 2025

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

We are determined to keep G&GR a free site for all rugby fans. A place for all to engage with rugby stories, opinions, articles, podcasts, discussions and more.

Show your support to G&GR


Latest

Tuesday’s Rugby news

July 8, 2025

The Dropped Kick-Off 160 – On Tour – Wallabies & NSW Waratahs instant reaction at Bernie’s Bar with Finn Morton

July 7, 2025

ACT Brumbies v the British and Irish Lions — G&GR’s Team’s podcast

July 7, 2025

Props and pancakes – whodunnit?

July 7, 2025
Previous 1 2 3 4 … 2,614 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Tahs best Brumbies.

March 22, 2025

Reds break drought.

March 22, 2025

Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

March 22, 2025

Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

March 21, 2025
Previous 1 2 3 4 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Poms pinch it.

February 23, 2025

Welsh walk Wazza!

February 12, 2025

Paddies pound Thistles.

February 10, 2025

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #58: International rugby is back, and Super Rugby Pacific is on its way.

February 10, 2025
Previous 1 2 3 4 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • Yowie on Hump Day news – in from the side
  • KwAussie Rugby Lover on Game Pre & Review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday 9 July 2025
  • KwAussie Rugby Lover on Hump Day news – in from the side
  • AllyOz on Hump Day news – in from the side
  • AllyOz on Hump Day news – in from the side
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.