Michael Hooper to miss Wallabies Test due to injury

Darren Walton | July 13, 2023

Wallabies co-captain Michael Hooper will miss their Rugby Championship clash with Michael Cheika’s Argentina on Saturday due to a calf injury.

The Australians are looking to regroup after a horror opening Test against South Africa, while the Pumas also had a heavy loss to New Zealand last weekend.

Queensland flanker Fraser McReight will take Hooper’s place for the CommBank Stadium match, among five changes to the starting line-up.

Lock Richie Arnold has earnt his first Test start, replacing Nick Frost, while the other change in the well-beaten forward pack has Jed Holloway replacing the injured Tom Hooper in the No.6 jersey.

In the backs, Queensland winger Suliasi Vunivalu has made way for Waratahs flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase and powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi has moved from the bench to partner Len Ikitau in the midfield.

Veteran playmaker Quade Cooper has retained the No.10 jersey to play his first Test in Sydney since 2017, with young gun Carter Gordon again on the bench.

Coach Eddie Jones has overhauled his finishers, bringing in props Angus Bell and Pone Fa’amausili while lock Matt Philip and backrower/lock Rob Leota have also been included.

Leota hasn’t played since rupturing his Achilles in last year’s Bledisloe Cup series while his Melbourne Rebels teammate, backrower Josh Kemeny, is in line for a Test debut.

Jones said he wanted to see a performance Wallabies’ fans could be proud of.

“As a squad we’re running a marathon this year, and we didn’t get off the start line like we wanted to, but we get another opportunity to find our rhythm this weekend against a tough Argentinian side,” he said.

“We have two Tests on home soil this year, so we have to have to roll up our sleeves on Saturday and put in a performance that drives Australians to show pride in the Wallabies.”

Wallabies: James Slipper (c), David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Will Skelton, Jed Holloway, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Len Ikitau, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Tom Wright. Res: Jordan Uelese, Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Josh Kemeny, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon.