'Something not right' with Wallabies
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michael Hooper found it difficult to identify the core problem with Wallabies following their second successive convincing defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.
Despite loads of fingers pointing in the directions of Michael Cheika as the culprit for the Wallabies’ dismay, captain Hooper refused to entertain the notion.
The recent 12-40 defeat made sure the All Blacks claim the Bledisloe Cup for a 16th consecutive year.
The Wallabies, needing a killer attitude after being beaten up in Sydney last week, stayed in the game for the first 38 minutes.
But when they again failed to stem the All Blacks’ trademark surge either side of the halfway mark, they were out of the contest.
Beauden Barrett turned in a sparkling performance at Eden Park, becoming the first All Black to score four tries against the Wallabies, contributing 30 points in total as the defending champions ran out victors.
Joe Moody and Liam Squire also crossed the whitewash for the home side, who have not lost at the Auckland venue in 42 Tests – a run that dates back to July 1994.
The Wallabies, by comparison, are left licking their wounds on the back of last weekend’s 38-13 defeat in Sydney, while the pressure continues to mount on head coach Michael Cheika.
“I’ve got full belief in our team, I’ve got full belief in our players,” said a defiant Hooper.
“Something is not going right at the moment in certain parts of our game that we’ve got to cut out.
“But I’m a big believer in this team and I’ve got full confidence that we can turn the corner,”
Hooper went on to make the startling claim that he wouldn’t trade any of his teammates for All Blacks.
“You look at the match-ups tonight, of the players, and I’m keeping all our players you know?” he said.
“I’m not swapping any of them. So how we can get us as a group to reach our potential is the key.
“I’m going to keep fighting and keep swinging until we get there,”
The Wallabies will now try to bounce back against South Africa when they host the Springboks in Brisbane in two weeks time.
Source: Rugbypass
