Lock him in Eddie! Why Wallabies star labelled the ‘second Honey Badger’ is the character Australian rugby desperately needs as they look to leave their mark on the World Cup
Wallabies lock Tom Hooper is quickly developing a reputation as the cult hero Australian rugby longs for as Eddie Jones’ men look to win the World Cup in France.
Hooper, 22, grew up in Oberon, located in the Central Tablelands, west of Sydney.
His laid-back nature and quick wit have drawn comparisons to former Wallabies winger Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins, who was known for his hysterical one-liners, including:
“It’s taking off like a bag of cats.” “All sizzling and no steak.” “We’re leaving like a bride’s nightgown,” and, “I was damned like a rat walking down a drainpipe in one of them.”
But rising star Hooper, who is signed to the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby, is determined to be his own man.
‘I’m not as country as Nick. He’s much more country,” Hooper recently told reporters.
‘I’m from around Bathurst. It’s not that far away.’
Wallabies lock Tom Hooper is quickly developing a reputation as the cult hero Australian rugby longs for as Eddie Jones’ men look to win the World Cup in France
Hooper’s quick wit and laid-back nature have seen him compared to former Wallaby Nick Cummins (pictured)
Hooper also had rugby journalists in stitches with some of his one-liners at a press conference after Australia’s hard-fought win against Georgia.
When asked how he celebrated his first Test win for the Wallabies, Hooper – no relation to former captain Michael – said he was enjoying some winner’s p*** (alcohol) and that a bad lineout against the Eastern Europeans was a was ‘brain fart’.
He added that spirits are high in the camp, and that together they are “happy as Larry,” and said he has “never felt so small” after meeting Captain Will Skelton for the first time.
Australia will take on Fiji in their next Pool C match on Monday, September 18 at 1.45am (AEST), with halfback Nic White finding himself more firmly in the starting XV.
Prop Taniela Tupou is unlikely to play after picking up a hamstring injury in training, with Zane Nonggorr his likely replacement.
Carter Gordon is set to wear the number 10 jersey, while Ben Donaldson is once again tipped to play at full-back ahead of Andrew Kellaway.
Gordon has the support of coach Eddie Jones and is keen to repay that show of confidence.
The Wallabies will look to limit the influence of Fiji’s Semi Radradra in their World Cup clash
The powerful former NRL player with the Eels is Fiji’s go-to man at the World Cup
“He just wants me to get a better grip on the ball at the moment,” the fly-half said.
“So when there’s turnover and stuff like that, he just wants me to be in the play, or direct the play.”
Former Parramatta Eels winger Semi Radradra is the clear danger man for Australia.
“Semi is one of those guys who pushes the envelope and likes to play after him,” assistant coach Jason Ryles said.
“He has a huge influence on their team and we have to keep that in check.”
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