Hooper To Be Fit For Drua Clash

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua loose forwards must bring their A-game to Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against the New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs at the Cbus Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia.

This was after Waratahs and Austral­ian Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper indicated to

Rugby Pass that he would make his return in the Drua clash.

Hooper who plays at openside flanker could be taking on the likes of Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira or Joseva Tamani who have been donning the No.6 jumper for the Drua.

His return is a timely one after the Waratahs faced a lot of disruption in the weekend after head coach Darren Coleman and Izaia Perese were left back in Sydney due to COVID-19 pro­tocols.

Also prop Angus Bells was ruled out just before warm-up for the Reds clash. He has now joined Jake Gordon, La­chlan Swinton and Ben Donaldson on the injury list.

Hooper enjoyed a one-year cameo in Japanese rugby last year before a foot injury in Australia’s penultimate 2021 Test kept him off his feet in the pre-season. The flanker, now 30, was contractually obliged to delay the start to his 2022 campaign anyway, with a keen eye on next year’s World Cup in France.

The four-time John Eales medallist returned refreshed to Waratahs train­ing last week and, while back to full fitness, said on Tuesday he hoped to make his return against the Drua.

“I’m fully functional at the moment … if that’s (a return) next week or the week after, not sure,” Hooper said.

“A lot depends on how this week goes.”

Winless in a historically poor 2021, the Waratahs are 3-3 under coach Cole­man. “I’ve been watching from afar for two years … I’m super impressed and happy for them,” Hooper said.

“You don’t want to put a cap and where we can go … there’s a real con­fidence, there’s a hunger to improve.”

The match kicks off at 8.45pm.

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