VIDEO: Bok star is the 'perfect example' of versatility
SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby loose forward Tom Hooper is a player who has embraced a versatile role in the game, and he wants to test himself against one of the best in the business in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks.
Hooper produced a man-of-the-match performance in the final Test against the British and Irish Lions, which the Wallabies won 22-12.
The 24-year-old, who will join the Exeter Chiefs once his Test commitments are over this year, started at blindside flank in that match, but he is equally comfortable in the openside position.
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“I just feel like a rugby player that is sort of versatile,” he told reporters in Johannesburg ahead of Saturday’s match.
“I call myself a Swiss army knife because I don’t really have a hat that I wear all the time.
“I like that and it’s one of my strengths that I don’t want to change.”
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled his matchday 23 on Monday, which means the Wallabies will have plenty of time to digest it ahead of the Ellis Park showdown.
One player that Hooper is keen to measure himself against is Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will start at blindside flank for the Boks.
“I think I played against him twice,” said Hooper.
“He is an amazing calibre of player and the World Rugby Player of the Year.
“He is a guy who can cover a lot of positions, and he is the perfect example of that.
“His versatility and his expertise in that, from a line-out operator to a back row defender, is amazing.
“So, he is someone that I really like challenging myself against – guys of his calibre.
“If I were to get an opportunity, it would be very exciting.”
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Captain Siya Kolisi (No.8) and Marco van Staden (No.6) will join Du Toit in the Springboks’ back row on Saturday, and Hooper has a fairly good idea of what to expect on the field.
“They are probably trying to achieve some breakdown pressure,” Hooper added.
“We were pretty committed against the Lions, where you had someone like Tadhg Beirne, who is really good over the ball, and also Tom Curry.
“We are just going to have our wits about us when it comes to breakdown time and make sure that we get our targeting right there because that’s what they [Springboks] are looking for, a bit of turnovers.
“They’ve got Malcolm Marx, who is also a great pilfering threat. It should be a good head-to-head.”
@rugby365com
