Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh has backed former captain Michael Hooper after outgoing coach Eddie Jones's comments regarding his absence from the Wallabies World Cup squad.
Before his dismissal, Jones was asked by the SMH about leaving out Hooper, Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley, leaving the coach to label them as 'past those stages' of being good role models for the side.
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Waugh defended his fellow flanker and the two experienced playmakers, praising their contribution to the game.
"I think it's a completely unfair comment," Waugh told reporters when asked about the comments. "Across Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley, I think there are 280-300 Test matches between those three.
"They've all put their body on the line over a long period of time and are role models to not just their peers but young boys and girls coming through the system.
"So I think it is an absolutely unfair comment towards those players, given what they've contributed to rugby."
It led to a host of backlash from ex-players, pundits and fans online, with Hooper refusing to engage in a war of words.
“I’ve got no response. He’s entitled to his own opinion as are we all as we’re all fans of the game," he said on the Stan Sport coverage of the World Cup.
"He’s a bit more of a fan and he’s very involved in the game.
"I’ve got nothing more to say. I’m doing what I’ve always done and I’m hoping to do that next week when I play for the Barbarians and potentially sevens next year.
"I’m going to carry on being the best player I can be.”
