Hooper eyeing Sevens debut in LA
NEWS: Record-breaking Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has all but confirmed his rugby sevens debut will come in Los Angeles after watching his French contemporary Antoine Dupont shine in Vancouver.
Australia’s men had to settle for 10th in the Canadian World Series leg on Monday morning, starved of possession in a 7-24 loss to South Africa to cap a disappointing 1-4 weekend for the team ranked third entering the event.
Hooper – the most-capped Wallabies skipper and boasting 125 Tests in total for Australia – watched from the sideline.
Overlooked for last year’s 15-man World Cup, the flank committed to the code’s Olympic alternative, hoping to play at the Paris Games in July.
“It’s a long road to get back, but this was always the goal, LA,” he told Stan Sport.
“I’ve had a good taste of it (watching) in Vancouver this week.
“I’m really keen to get out after being so close to getting out on the field, just have to tick a few boxes then we’ll see how we go.”
Niggles and general conditioning requirements have ensured a steady transition for the 32-year-old, who in 2020 became the youngest player in world rugby to reach 100 Tests.
If selected for the United States leg he’d have four tournaments to prove himself before Australia’s team is selected for Paris.
The 2022 World Series champions rate as one of many medal threats in a wide-open field after making two finals from four events this season.
“(125 Test caps) is a lot in that world, but it doesn’t mean much in this, I’m starting to notice,” Hooper said.
“I know how to pass, how to tackle. But it’s a different game altogether.
“Someone said to me once, ‘You’re no longer a rugby player, you’re an athlete’. I’m starting to understand what that means.
“I don’t think anything can prepare you for what’s to come when you first take the field.”
France’s regular 15-a-side captain and former World Rugby player of the year Dupont, after a quiet first day, may beg to differ.
Dupont’s much-hyped sevens cameo lived up to expectations when he scored a brilliant solo try against the Australians, the match-winner in a quarterfinal against Ireland and then set up the last two five-pointers in a 26-28 semifinal loss to New Zealand.
Australia’s women missed their first final of the season, upset 19-21 by France in Monday’s semifinal.
A first-half turnover and long-range effort from Seraphine Okemba turned the contest France’s way.
Maddison Levi rolled out of one tackle then palmed off two more defenders to score on halftime, before crossing again after the fulltime siren.
But she wasn’t able to improve her position, and Tia Hinds’ conversion attempt to send the game into extra time edged just wide.
Canada caught Australia napping with early tries in both halves to win the third-place play-off 19-14.
