Ex-Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper slams Eddie Jones' tactics

Posted on : 09/18/2023
Ex-Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper slams Eddie Jones' tactics
Rugby Union 

Ex-Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper slams Eddie Jones’ tactics in shock Fiji World Cup loss after being snubbed for a place in coach’s squad

  • Michael Hooper has hit out at Eddie Jones’s tactics at the World Cup 
  • Australia suffered a shock defeat by Fiji in Saint Etienne on Sunday 
  • It leaves their hopes of qualifying for the knockouts hanging by a thread 
  • Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

Michael Hooper has stuck the boot in on Eddie Jones following Australia’s shock loss to Fiji at the Rugby World Cup. 

Former Wallabies captain Hooper was omitted from Jones’s squad for the tournament in France, leaving the 31-year-old to go through a ‘grieving period’ after missing out on the major competition.

Hooper has since turned to TV punditry for the tournament and was on the microphone for Australia’s defeat by plucky underdogs Fiji on Sunday, who ran out 22-15 winners in Saint Etienne.

As a result, Jones is under major pressure ahead of the Wallabies’ next Pool C game, against Wales, with their World Cup future at stake.

And Hooper has questioned Jones’s tactics during the shock loss in France.

Michael Hooper has questioned Eddie Jones’s tactics at the Rugby World Cup

The Wallabies’ campaign hit a roadblock after their defeat by Fiji in Saint Etienne

‘I am a huge fan of getting your reserves on,’ Hooper said.

‘Why would you leave reserves on the bench until under 10 minutes?

‘Get them out on the field to rip into it. But taking Samu (Kerevi) off – I’d love to see him go 80. But particularly with what is coming next week, maybe there was a bit of preservation there.’

Hooper also added that Jones’s tactical decisions left more questions than answers with the experienced coach having no solution for Fiji’s rampaging centres. 

‘The Fijians were getting such good go forward, so we take Carter off and moved Donaldson into the front line,’ Hooper said. 

‘What are the Fijians going to do? Keep running down that channel…

‘So it’s a really interesting one to do at the 48-49 minute mark. I think this game’s asked more questions than (provided) answers.’

Hooper questioned Jones’s use of his squad during the latter stages of the contest

Jones took full responsibility for his side’s defeat in Saint Etienne. 

‘After that I probably deserved more, mate. They should be throwing baguettes, croissants at me. I deserve whatever I get.’ 

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