Rugby World Cup winning Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer has slammed Michael Hooper saying that he is the worst open side flanker in Australian Super Rugby.
Dwyer says that on current form Hooper should not be selected in the June Tests against England by the Wallabies.
The 24-year-old enjoyed great form at last year’s Rugby World Cup but Dwyer says this year Hooper is not delivering when the Waratahs need him to the most.
“I reckon at the moment he is number five open side flanker in Australia. He’s gone from being an absolutely outstanding player to what I think is a total non-event,” Dwyer told Rugby Heaven.
“I do not know what’s happened to him. It’s got me stumped.”
” How can he go from being one of the world’s most significant players to what he is now?”
Dwyer said in terms of Wallaby selection Hooper cannot be seen as being ahead of David Pocock (Brumbies), Liam Gill (Reds), Sean McMahon (Rebels) or even Matt Hodgson (Force).
“I think his form is dreadful now,” Dwyer said.
“I’ve been a really big fan (of Michael’s) and a couple of years ago when there was talk about whether to pick Hooper or Pocock, I backed him, but I don’t know what’s happened to his form this year because I don’t see anything from him. I don’t see him contesting any ball on the ground at all virtually.”
When asked whether Hooper’s form would be worrying Wallabies coach he said, “He’s a smart bloke Michael Cheika.”
“That doesn’t mean past form doesn’t count, it obviously does, but I’m only talking about performances recently and I couldn’t see Hooper getting in the 23 on present form.
“If he can’t make a significant contribution at the tackle contest without Pocock there on Saturday, I mean you’d have to say where is his role in the Wallabies? I think the acid is absolutely on him this week (against the Brumbies).”
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