Tom Hooper returns to France, a place that evokes bittersweet memories after the disappointing participation of the Wallabies in the 2023 World Cup. Under the direction of Eddie Jones, Australia experienced a tournament to forget, being eliminated in the group stage for the first time.
Two years later, the Wallabies face a similar situation, seeking to avoid a negative record. After falling to England, Italy, and Ireland, the Australian team will seek to redeem themselves with a victory over France in Paris.
A new defeat would mean ten defeats in a calendar year, a record, and their first European tour without victories in four matches in 67 years.
Hooper insists that the atmosphere in the Wallabies camp is very different under the direction of coach Joe Schmidt, who has been criticized for the team’s current poor performance.
The burly player was part of the Australian team humiliated by Wales 40-6 in Lyon, which practically confirmed their elimination from the World Cup.
Hooper highlighted the progress made since then: “I know that for the Australian fans, it seems like we are really down at the moment. Mentally we are, but physically and mentally, and in terms of our belief and our psyche towards where we can take this team and where we are going to take this team, it has never been stronger. And the main driver of that has been Joe Schmidt.” Hooper praised Schmidt’s hard work in helping the Wallabies overcome their slump. He doesn’t really sleep, he’s always working for us, so when it comes to team meetings, the message is clear. Schmidt, who will leave his position in mid-2026, still believes in the team, according to Hooper. “Immediately afterwards in that locker room on the weekend, he lifted us all up, shook us up, connected us as a group, and gave us a clear message, and that is that he still believes in us.” Schmidt’s selections and game plan have also been criticized, but Hooper pointed out that it depends on the players to better execute their skills, especially in the aerial game and in the kicking game, where they showed weaknesses in the 46-19 defeat to Ireland.I was in a locker room in 2023 after the defeat against Wales, where we really didn’t land any punches.
Tom Hooper
Hooper, one of Australia’s most outstanding players during the year, added: “Over the weekend, there were a couple of times when their system and their program would have worked, but we simply didn’t execute as players. So we fully believe in their ability and in the ability of all the technical staff, how they are preparing us has been wonderful. Ultimately, it just depends on us to make sure we take the tools they have given us throughout the week, we are calm, we are serene and then we deliver on the weekend.”We completely believe in what Joe is building here, and we have all completely bought into that program and the system that he had in place.
Tom Hooper
