As they approach their first match of the Rugby Championship against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday (local time), the Wallabies are focused on building confidence in their methods and growing closer as a team.
Speaking on the back of a player-of-the-match performance in the third Test against the British & Irish Lions, Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper was optimistic about the progress the team are making.
“You look at the start point to the finish line, there was definitely some improvements that were made and we're growing closer and closer together as a squad”, he remarked.
He added that the team has “just been talking about focusing on ourselves, making sure we get better with each session, with each game.”
Turning to his imminent move to the UK to play for the Exeter Chiefs and his future in the Wallabies set-up, Hooper admitted, “I love the gold jersey. I love playing in it.” He noted that “my decision to go overseas was definitely to improve myself as a rugby player.”
He clearly remains rooted in his desire to succeed in the gold jersey, saying “I’m just focusing on where my feet are, and right now my feet are in South Africa, and I’ve got a job to do here.”
Zane Nonggorr suggested that the Wallabies are aware of the threat that the Springboks pose, with strong set-piece play coupled with depth on their bench.
He remarked that “our challenge is having to match that and making sure that quality across our starters, our bench, and even the boys not playing.”
He added, “We’re going to have to have our wits about us when it comes to the breakdown.”
On the challenge of an away match in South Africa, Nonggorr said that “we know there’ll be a lot of fans cheering for the South Africans, but hopefully we’ll be able to put on a show that makes our fans back home proud.”
The Wallabies take on South Africa at Ellis Park on Sunday at 1.10am AEST. Watch live on Stan Sport from 12.30am AEST.
