‘Rookie’ Michael Hooper set to make Sevens debut in Hong Kong as Olympic Games loom

Former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper is set to finally make his Sevens debut for Australia during the Hong Kong stop on the SVNS circuit on the first weekend of April.

After being unceremoniously left out of the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad by Eddie Jones, the ex-captain of the 15s side made the decision to switch to the seven-man game with hopes of representing his country at the Olympic Games later this year.

The 125-Test Wallaby great was initially set to debut at Australia’s home tournament in Perth at the beginning of the year but head coach John Manenti felt Hooper needed more time to adjust to the workload of the Sevens game.

Learning curve loading

The coach confirmed that Hooper would be pulling on the Sevens jersey for the first time in Hong Kong and expects the tournament to be a real learning curve for the veteran.

“For the first time we’ll get to see Michael Hooper in an Australian sevens jersey,” head coach Manenti said on Thursday.

“‘Hoops’ has worked hard to make his way into the squad, and we’re all delighted to welcome the ‘rookie’ into the mix.

“Like any new player it will be a learning experience for him, and an important start point to a potential Paris Olympics.”

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Dupont switch

Hooper is not the only player to be making the switch for the Olympics with France captain and talisman Antoine Dupont making the change with absolute aplomb as he incredibly inspired his country to their first title in 19 years at the Los Angeles SVNS.

The former flanker would love to have the same impact on the Australia side as they face Dupont’s country and Olympic champions Fiji in their pool in Hong Kong in what will be a full welcome for Hooper.

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