Hooper reaches Hong Kong semis on sevens debut
NEWS: Michael Hooper’s debut sevens tournament continues to prove a success with the Olympics-hunting Wallabies great enjoying cameo roles as both Australian sides marched to the semifinals in Hong Kong.
The 125-times capped Hooper again came off the bench to enjoy four minutes of action as Australia’s men strolled to a 31-0 win over Canada in their final group match but was only needed as a last-minute sub in their 15-0 quarter-final win over South Africa later on Saturday.
The 33-year-old Hooper’s next test as he is being gently eased into the high-paced sevens world will be in a blockbuster semifinal against New Zealand on Sunday’s final day of the marquee World Series event.
The Australian women, currently leading the season’s standings, will also face a semifinal against their big New Zealand rivals after continuing their unbeaten run into the last-four with a 12-0 quarterfinal victory over Japan.
On a day when women’s captain Charlotte Caslick led the way by starring in her 300th World Series match, magnificent defence proved the keystone for both Australian sides as they kept their opponents scoreless across all their four matches in the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday.
After the men had gone 24-0 up against Canada with tries from captain Nick Malouf, Michael Icely, Dietrich Roache and Nathan Lawson, Hooper was freed up to enjoy his longest spell of action and nearly went over for a try himself in the final seconds after Henry Paterson had completed the five-try romp.
But in a tight semi which was settled by the Aussies’ stifling defence and tries from the brilliant pair of Nathan Lawson and Maurice Longbottom, Hooper was only brought off the bench in the final 30 seconds against the Blitzboks.
“A few things didn’t go to plan so we had to fight through but we just hung in there,” said Malouf of their win.
“We were able to have a couple of scores on the board and were able to manage that with the shot on goal late (from Longbottom). I’m excited about tomorrow.”
