Tom, do you really mean to say that you think Hooper has been playing the role of a No 7 for the Wallabies while Poey has been around> Of course hge isn't. Doesn't hit any rucks and makes few turnover attempts let alone actually making turnovers except when he comes in second on a tackle out wide. He is not playing any other forwards type role at present which is leaving us vulnerable in tight. We don't need him to set up our attack because that is done by those players who fill the 10 and 12 spots, allegedly.
Can you say exactly what his role is and how he contributes in the way he presently plays?
And if he replaces Pocock after the RWC would he not have to put on another 10kg or more to be effective at the breakdown which would be his primary role then? I'm sorry, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if one of the other 7s would then surpass him at the traditional No 7 game by that time.