Michael Hooper has been Mr Consistent for the NSW Waratahs and Qantas Wallabies over the last two years, winning the John Eales Medal and Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year in 2013 and led the Waratahs to their maiden title after captain Dave Dennis suffered an ACL injury during the season.
Hooper’s form has continued into the 2015 Super Rugby season where he has started in every match for the Waratahs, and averaged 79 minutes of game time!
Attack
Amazingly, for a forward, Michael Hooper is ranked first at the Waratahs and fifth in the competition for try assists with five to his name. It’s something Hooper has added to his game this year, after not registering a single try assist in 2014.
While Hooper isn’t the biggest player on the field, his power is immense! Hoops is ranked second for the Waratahs in tackles busts with 41 across his 16 games so far this season. Averaging over seven runs a game and an average of 48 run metres per game, Hooper’s very dangerous with the ball in hand.
Defence
Hooper has revolutionised the openside flanker position as he creates more run than any other forward in the game. However, this doesn't stop him from getting involved when in defence. The Waratahs vice-captain has averaged 11.1 tackles a game to rank him as the club's top tackler, and 10th overall in the competition.
It’s Hooper’s work-rate around the ground that allows him to constantly be involved in the play and lead from the front for the Waratahs and Wallabies. With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, Hooper will be looking to continue his impressive form.
