I'm not going to disagree that Hooper should never be called. He's a 'break glass in case of emergency' option, as most fourth options are.
The blame for the ball going to him needs to be directed at the coaches and callers, not Hooper IMO. It's the same when Pocock gets used in the lineout. It should never have to come to that.
That is the game plan they play. When Hooper was out of the team, Samu played exactly the same role. Pocock has done it too.
Nick Bishop did a bit of analysis over on the Roar about it, and it's worth checking out.
I agree with you that it's a poor game plan, although Hooper is the only backrower we have who can actually play it.
I just think you tend to blame him for the failure of others. He should certainly take his share of blame as captain of a failing side, no doubt. But he's told to play the way he does - we've seen him excel in tighter game plans in the past. He's an outstanding player and I'd love to see him used a bit better than he is now.
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Barb, out of respect I will post one last time on the subject, but in truth I am now so disillusioned that I'm not of a mind to take any more interest in the Wallabies until Michael Cheika has been given the flick.
I mentioned Hooper in all of my comments because he was the player central to those poor aspects of the game plan. I really don't have a gripe about Michael except that he is given a free run by Cheika in the team.
Hooper is our second best No 7, and a very good one by international standards. He should be competing head to head with Pocock for the No 7 spot. There are different oppositions around the world who play in ways that would suit Hooper better, as there are those who would suit Pocock better. On the matters relating to the lineout and where he plays in the backline setup, I realise and acknowledge he is subject to Cheika's game plan and instructions. That doesn't stop me from being bewildered by his positioning at No 2 in the lineout. Surely, a better spot for the No 4 jumper is at the back where his speed off the mark would allow him to compete if there is an overthrow, as there invariably is, usually more than one per game.
So, I will concede my naming of Hooper is off the mark, and the true fault of the areas going wrong lies with Michael Cheika. My intention, now, is to withdraw from any more discussion of the Wallabies under Cheika as I regard it to be a lost cause. I will continue to watch the games unless it goes even further into the shit where I lose interest altogether.
