Wallabies suffer Hooper blow as Los Pumas loom
INJURY UPDATE: Australia flank Tom Hooper could miss Saturday’s Rugby Championship Round Two match against Argentina.
Hooper, who made his Test debut during the Wallabies’ 12-43 defeat to the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld, sustained a shoulder injury.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones revealed the flank is a major doubt for the match against teh Los Pumas.
“He’s probably pretty doubtful at this stage,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about Hooper’s injury.
“We’re not 100 percent sure. He’ll get an MRI on Monday, and then we’ll find out a bit more.”
#⃣REACTION: Coach Eddie Jones said he endured “a long day at the office” in #Pretoria after a disastrous start to his second stint in charge of the @wallabies 🇦🇺#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌏@SanzarTRC 🏆#RSAvAUS 🇿🇦V🇦🇺
🔗https://t.co/s5iOlOlZrf pic.twitter.com/uiiqK00gvN— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 9, 2023
The Wallabies suffered their second-heaviest defeat to South Africa in Pretoria and their worst loss to the Springboks since 2008.
The side opened the scoring with a try by wing Marika Koroibete.
However, failed to build momentum and went on to concede six tries including two penalties in the defeat, leaving Jones with loads of work ahead of this Saturday’s match against Argentina.
“[I’m] disappointed in our performance, but it’s the first game of a 12-game season for us,” Jones said.
“We’ve got to take stock, and look at where we can improve quickly for the Argentinian game.”
Source: Sydney Morning Herald