Michael Hooper is hopeful James OConnors experience in big-match situations and calming influence this week can propel the Wallabies to a major upset victory over the All Blacks that would be genuine proof they are tracking in the right direction six weeks out from the Rugby World Cup.
OConnor was all smiles on Friday as the Wallabies went through their final preparations during a captains run on Optus Stadium in which silverchairs aptly-named song Tomorrow blasted around the stands.
James O'Connor will face the All Blacks on Saturday in just his second Test in six years.Credit:Stu Walmsley/Rugby AU Media
You could have written your own betting ticket a year ago on OConnor wearing the No.13 jersey in the Bledisloe Cup opener but the merit of Rugby Australias gamble to lure the much-maligned player back home is about to become clear.
OConnor, who links up with Samu Kerevi in a new Wallabies starting midfield, has come up against the All Blacks 12 twice in his Test career for a return of just one win.
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He did, however, kick a penalty after full-time to clinch a memorable Wallabies win in Hong Kong in 2010.
While OConnor wont be kicking any off the tee this time around, there are high hopes in Wallabies camp that his defence will be up to scratch in a notoriously difficult position to play.
Hooper played with OConnor against the All Blacks in 2013 about a month before the blond-haired youngster was shown the door by Australian rugby for an alcohol-related incident at a Perth airport.
If OConnor could help Australia put one hand on the Bledisloe Cup, which they have not won since 2002, it would cap one of the great comeback stories and Hooper said the 29-year-old was ready to make up for lost time.
“Hes played in these games before and done really well in these big games before,” Hooper said.
“Im sure hell be calling upon that and some other things hes learnt in the last couple of years.
“Hes got a good calming influence and I certainly trust him fully in his ability and his temperament.”
There was a moment of mild panic for the Wallabies during their passing warm-up drill when Kerevi limped out the back with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
He appeared to shake the knock off. A Wallabies spokesperson said Kerevi was fine and finished the session as per normal, albeit not in front of the cameras.
Hooper, meanwhile, has foreshadowed a ferocious breakdown battle against a new-look All Blacks back row with two renowned fetchers and openside breakaways in Ardie Savea and Sam Cane.
The pair will play at No.6 and No.7 but the All Blacks have said the number on their backs will be largely insignificant.
“We know that the on-ball presence is going to be fierce as every Test match is against New Zealand in that area,” Hooper said. “Ardie poses a big ball-carrying threat and is great over the ball as well so itll be a fierce breakdown challenge and Im interested to see how it plays out.
Samu Kerevi had an injury scare during the captain's run but completed the session away from prying eyes.Credit:AAP
“I think its an opportunity for them to do something different, show a different picture. We dont know what to expect. Theyll be working it out on the run.”
All Blacks captain Kieran Read said: “Its gelled together really well … theyre in great fRead More – Source
Michael Hooper is hopeful James OConnors experience in big-match situations and calming influence this week can propel the Wallabies to a major upset victory over the All Blacks that would be genuine proof they are tracking in the right direction six weeks out from the Rugby World Cup.
OConnor was all smiles on Friday as the Wallabies went through their final preparations during a captains run on Optus Stadium in which silverchairs aptly-named song Tomorrow blasted around the stands.
James O'Connor will face the All Blacks on Saturday in just his second Test in six years.Credit:Stu Walmsley/Rugby AU Media
You could have written your own betting ticket a year ago on OConnor wearing the No.13 jersey in the Bledisloe Cup opener but the merit of Rugby Australias gamble to lure the much-maligned player back home is about to become clear.
OConnor, who links up with Samu Kerevi in a new Wallabies starting midfield, has come up against the All Blacks 12 twice in his Test career for a return of just one win.
Advertisement
He did, however, kick a penalty after full-time to clinch a memorable Wallabies win in Hong Kong in 2010.
While OConnor wont be kicking any off the tee this time around, there are high hopes in Wallabies camp that his defence will be up to scratch in a notoriously difficult position to play.
Hooper played with OConnor against the All Blacks in 2013 about a month before the blond-haired youngster was shown the door by Australian rugby for an alcohol-related incident at a Perth airport.
If OConnor could help Australia put one hand on the Bledisloe Cup, which they have not won since 2002, it would cap one of the great comeback stories and Hooper said the 29-year-old was ready to make up for lost time.
“Hes played in these games before and done really well in these big games before,” Hooper said.
“Im sure hell be calling upon that and some other things hes learnt in the last couple of years.
“Hes got a good calming influence and I certainly trust him fully in his ability and his temperament.”
There was a moment of mild panic for the Wallabies during their passing warm-up drill when Kerevi limped out the back with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
He appeared to shake the knock off. A Wallabies spokesperson said Kerevi was fine and finished the session as per normal, albeit not in front of the cameras.
Hooper, meanwhile, has foreshadowed a ferocious breakdown battle against a new-look All Blacks back row with two renowned fetchers and openside breakaways in Ardie Savea and Sam Cane.
The pair will play at No.6 and No.7 but the All Blacks have said the number on their backs will be largely insignificant.
“We know that the on-ball presence is going to be fierce as every Test match is against New Zealand in that area,” Hooper said. “Ardie poses a big ball-carrying threat and is great over the ball as well so itll be a fierce breakdown challenge and Im interested to see how it plays out.
Samu Kerevi had an injury scare during the captain's run but completed the session away from prying eyes.Credit:AAP
“I think its an opportunity for them to do something different, show a different picture. We dont know what to expect. Theyll be working it out on the run.”
All Blacks captain Kieran Read said: “Its gelled together really well … theyre in great fRead More – Source
