It’s rare players relish starting from the bench but Wallabies back-rower Tom Hooper is excited for the challenge of trying to defuse South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad.'
Hooper returns to the squad as part of a 6-2 bench split for Sunday’s clash against the Springboks at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
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The Springboks have loaded their infamous replacement group amid 13 changes to the starting side that defeated New Zealand in Baltimore.
World Rugby Team of the Year front-rowers Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche are among the stars, along with number eight Jasper Wiese and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The ‘Bomb Squad’ has become the hallmark of the Springboks’ dynasty as back-to-back world champions, with Hooper ready for the unique challenge.
“It's a weird one. Honestly, one of those test matches you almost get really excited to be named off the bench and come up against the bomb squad, as they call themselves,” Hooper remarked to reporters.
“We've spoken a lot about our role for this test match, what we can bring. Obviously, Lukhan [Salakaia-Loto] and myself being a bigger set and Taniela [Tupou] is not the smallest bloke so it's nice having a bit of size on our bench.
“We're just looking to get that go forward, carry nice and north for the team and do our job and we know that the starters will get us off to a good start and we'll come in and finish the job."
It marks Hooper’s last game before returning to Exeter to feature in the English Premiership, which is already underway.
The incoming Red will miss the Bledisloe Cup series alongside Tupou, which falls outside World Rugby’s regulation nine laws around player eligibility.
“I'm fully present in this Wallabies environment and kind of trying to keep all the Exeter noise in the background. Next week that will shift to an Exeter focus and I’ll be the Wallabies number one fan in the next two Test matches,” Hooper said.
“I really do enjoy this group and enjoy playing in gold all the time. It's a balancing act, making sure that I'm not wearing two caps at the same time.
“…These guys are some of my best mates. I know a lot of people in the squad think that way, probably most of the people in the squad. We really enjoy showing up to work, if you call it that.
“We show up to a training paddock and we work really hard with each other and for each other because we love this group and we love this jersey.”
