I just want Foley to be happy: Hooper

Tue, Mar 28, 2017, 8:33 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Some of these were NSFW but we've picked the best sledges the current crop of Super Rugby stars have heard on a rugby field.

As a teammate, captain and most of all, friend, Michael Hooper feels for Bernard Foley as he battles continual concussion symptoms.

The Waratahs and Wallabies flyhalf starred for NSW in their miraculous win over the Rebels last Friday but unfortunately, he has suffered a recurrence of symptoms in the days since.

The news is a big blow for the Waratahs - as Foley's presence made them look like a completely different team - but an even bigger blow for Foley, who, by Friday's performance, is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

Appearing on Fox Sports Kick and Chase tonight, Hooper said the Wallabies flyhalf showcased just how good he is in his first match of 2017.Michael Hooper and Bernard Foley in camp for the Wallabies last year. Photo: Getty Images"It shows you the type of player he is and the type of player he has been in his career as well," he said.

"I’ve just been happy for him, the fact that he could come back and light up and do it when the lights are turned on, I was really proud of him."

But now, with Foley in doubt for their clash with the Crusaders, Hooper said he just wants to see his Tahs and Wallabies teammate happy.

"The tough thing about head injuries is that it is unchartered waters, while he’s been in training in bits and spits and spats I think over the last couple of weeks he’s been really good and putting on hits at training," he said.

Michael Hooper has led the Tahs well in 2017. Photo: Getty Images"He just hasn’t been right in other parts so I feel for him - I just want to see him play and see him happy."On field, Hooper was clearly relieved his team stole a win in Melbourne and said he was excited about the prospect of Sunday afternoon's clash at Allianz Stadium.

"I’ve been saying it and sound like I’ve been banging my head against the wall - we’ve been training well, guys have been training well, it’s been happening but we haven’t been able to put it into the game," he said.

"It certainly was fun to finally get that reward out on the field and get a win.

"We love playing Kiwi teams, our style of play is suited to playing teams and there is no better challenge currently in the Kiwi conference than the Crusaders.

"They’re a fantastic outfit year in and year out and the benefit for us is, we get them on Sunday arvo at 4 o’clock."

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