NPR

Posted: **Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:48 pm**

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will fly home from Argentina after informing coach Dave Rennie he is not in the right headspace to play test rugby.

Hooper trained with the team all week and was named to play, but the four-time John Eales Medallist approached medical staff and management on Thursday night to reveal his “mindset” was not in the place it needs to be to lead the team against the Pumas on Sunday morning (NZ time).

James Slipper will take over the Wallabies captaincy, and Fraser McReight will come into the team at No 7.

There is no timeline on how long Hooper will take a break from rugby but the Wallabies are supportive of the 121-test skipper taking as long as he needs.

Jeez, that's not good at all. Hope he'll be OK.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:38 am**

Geez I hope he is ok, gutsy call to let everyone know , and I hope he's ok. I a fan of his play, but would rather know he was doing ok mentally , than worry about him being on rugby field.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:13 am**

FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:54 pm So cocks on blocks for tomorrows clash?

I reckon Boks by 7-12.

Yep, inclined to agree. The Boks should win by 10-15, but if the ABs make yet another slow start it could get very ugly indeed.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:35 am**

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:13 am
FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:54 pm So cocks on blocks for tomorrows clash?

I reckon Boks by 7-12.
Yep, inclined to agree. The Boks should win by 10-15, but if the ABs make yet another slow start it could get very ugly indeed.

Nope.

The All Blacks will win it.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 5:08 am**

Who knows what the hell will happen...

after Aaron Smith reflexively box kicks the ABs first ruck possession down the throat of one of the SA back three.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:24 am**

Gumboot wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:48 pm
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will fly home from Argentina after informing coach Dave Rennie he is not in the right headspace to play test rugby.

Hooper trained with the team all week and was named to play, but the four-time John Eales Medallist approached medical staff and management on Thursday night to reveal his “mindset” was not in the place it needs to be to lead the team against the Pumas on Sunday morning (NZ time).

James Slipper will take over the Wallabies captaincy, and Fraser McReight will come into the team at No 7.

There is no timeline on how long Hooper will take a break from rugby but the Wallabies are supportive of the 121-test skipper taking as long as he needs.
Jeez, that's not good at all. Hope he'll be OK.

Easy to forget how young these guys are. He's been playing at the top level for 10 years now non stop. Captain since he was 22. Non-stop pressure week in week out.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:26 am**

A courageous call by a superb player. Wishing him all the best.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 6:35 am**

Gumboot wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:48 pm
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will fly home from Argentina after informing coach Dave Rennie he is not in the right headspace to play test rugby.

Hooper trained with the team all week and was named to play, but the four-time John Eales Medallist approached medical staff and management on Thursday night to reveal his “mindset” was not in the place it needs to be to lead the team against the Pumas on Sunday morning (NZ time).

James Slipper will take over the Wallabies captaincy, and Fraser McReight will come into the team at No 7.

There is no timeline on how long Hooper will take a break from rugby but the Wallabies are supportive of the 121-test skipper taking as long as he needs.
Jeez, that's not good at all. Hope he'll be OK.

Ja not good. As said before, takes some courage to make such a call, big respect. Hope he comes clear.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:03 am**

Poor lad, all the best to him. An absolute gentleman of the game, one of the best Australia has ever produced.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:05 am**

It takes real guts to admit to something like this.

He is a proper man!

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:46 am**

Chilli wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:05 am It takes real guts to admit to something like this.

He is a proper man!

Yup, he is a real leader and if this begins a sea-change towards players only playing when physically and mentally fit then it can only be a good thing.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:08 am**

Chilli wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:35 am
Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:13 am
FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:54 pm So cocks on blocks for tomorrows clash?

I reckon Boks by 7-12.
Yep, inclined to agree. The Boks should win by 10-15, but if the ABs make yet another slow start it could get very ugly indeed.
Nope.

The All Blacks will win it.

Yep! AB's by 10

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:57 am**

The ouens are already going hard in Nelspruit at 10:30 am!

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:13 am**

That looks so lekker. I would give anything to be there with a brandy and coke!

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:18 am**

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:08 am
Chilli wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:35 am
Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:13 am

Yep, inclined to agree. The Boks should win by 10-15, but if the ABs make yet another slow start it could get very ugly indeed.
Nope.

The All Blacks will win it.
Yep! AB's by 10

A disaster for NZ Rugby if this happens. Could take us years to recover from the ramifications.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:21 am**

FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:57 am The ouens are already going hard in Nelspruit at 10:30 am!

Bloody hell, that’s keen. That’s like 6.5 hours before kick off.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:48 am**

Ymx wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:21 am
FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 8:57 am The ouens are already going hard in Nelspruit at 10:30 am!

Bloody hell, that’s keen. That’s like 6.5 hours before kick off.

By the time of kick off, you don't really care about the result

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:08 am**

There's not much else to do in Nelspruit!

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:01 pm**

assfly wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:08 am There's not much else to do in Nelspruit!

It's the home of the Currie Cup.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:11 pm**

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:46 am
Chilli wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:05 am It takes real guts to admit to something like this.

He is a proper man!

Yup, he is a real leader and if this begins a sea-change towards players only playing when physically and mentally fit then it can only be a good thing.

Agreed completely. It just makes sense. Problem would be when you have players vulnerable in their position that would rather risk a game than give another player a chance

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:13 pm**

Grandpa wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:18 am
SaintK wrote: ↑
Chilli wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:35 am

Nope.

The All Blacks will win it.
Yep! AB's by 10
A disaster for NZ Rugby if this happens. Could take us years to recover from the ramifications.

I bet you would rather take a win today no matter what

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:31 pm**

assfly wrote: ↑Tue Aug 02, 2022 5:07 pm
Grandpa wrote: ↑Tue Aug 02, 2022 5:00 pm You say no one has an answer to it.. but didn't SA lose a few times last year?
Point taken, but it's still won us a world cup, a Lions series and a series against Wales.

One of these things is not like the others.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:33 pm**

Sards wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 12:13 pm
Grandpa wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 9:18 am
SaintK wrote: ↑
Yep! AB's by 10
A disaster for NZ Rugby if this happens. Could take us years to recover from the ramifications.
I bet you would rather take a win today no matter what

No. I will be devastated. It will mean at least two more years of mediocrity

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:39 pm**

Nervous as fook right now...

Win or lose, I hope the ABs at least don't put out another lame performance.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:43 pm**

Load shedding in Struisbaai, luckily I got the magical inverter. Relaxed about this one just enjoying rivalry.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:54 pm**

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:43 pm Load shedding in Struisbaai, luckily I got the magical inverter. Relaxed about this one just enjoying rivalry.

I'm not relaxed but I've just poured myself a Groote Post Old Man's Blend Red. Drinking red wine tonight.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:00 pm**

Made it....after a lot of juggling around and driving to get the kids to their sleepovers before the game

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:01 pm**

Go, All Blacks!

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:03 pm**

Fantastic atmosphere.....

Go Bokke

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:08 pm**

Awesome haka

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:08 pm**

This is great theatre, what an atmosphere

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:12 pm**

Oh Jesus that looks bad !

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:12 pm**

Vok.....

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:13 pm**

The 6 to 2 split on the bench gentlemen

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:13 pm**

Not good.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:14 pm**

Bloody nasty

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:16 pm**

Man being carted off the pitch after being knocked out cold.

Stadium PA team: "Got the ideal song for this situation!"

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:19 pm**

Unless the ABs get to grips with that scrum, this could be a very long afternoon.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:19 pm**

A thing of beauty.

Posted: **Sat Aug 06, 2022 3:25 pm**

Yoh.....that was efficient

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