Wallabies great Michael Hooper has reportedly turned down the opportunity to have another crack at the British and Irish Lions and All Blacks playmaker Richie Mo’unga could miss out too.
His decision is a major blow to the AUNZ Invitational XV, with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster name-checking him as a potential star for the side.
Hooper came out of retirement earlier this year to take up a short-term contract with Toyota Verblitz, signing with the Japanese club as injury cover for Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Michael Hooper snubs AUNZ
He played the remainder of the season, which would have proved to be handy preparation for the AUNZ team, but according to reports, he has turned down the opportunity.
The ROAR reports that Hooper informed Rugby Australia officials about his decision this week, as he was not pleased by the disorganised nature of the match.
While Foster was unveiled as one of the coaches for the invitational team in March, Les Kiss was only confirmed as the head coach last month, along with the remainder of the coaching ticket.
Several players have been lined up to play for the side, with some putting up their hands, but none of the playing squad has been confirmed yet.
The report adds that while it remains to be seen what effect the absence of star names will have on ticket sales, Rugby Australia insiders say they are pleased with how they are tracking almost five weeks out from the match.
Mo’unga has been repeatedly linked with representing the side, but the playmaker broke his hand before the final Japan Rugby League One season. While he played through the pain, steering Toshiba Brave Lupus to victory over the Kubota Spears in the final, the decision on his release would lie with the club.
Other candidates
His clubmate Shannon Frizell has stuck up his hand to represent the team as well as has fellow All Black TJ Perenara, who now plies his trade with the Black Rams.
Foster also namechecked Aaron Smith, but the report states he “isn’t keen”. However, former Wallabies half-back Will Genia has publicly stated his interest as he qualifies for the AUNZ XV as well as the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
Ex-All Blacks captain Sam Cane could come into contention given the fact that he has been granted permission from his Japanese club to feature for the Barbarians against the Springboks in Cape Town, but his name has yet to be linked to the team.
It is believed that Rugby Australia wants the team to be mostly made up of locally based players.
Joe Schmidt would obviously get first dibs on Australian players, meaning that the invitational team will only be finalised in the fortnight before the match.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/wallabies-legend-michael-hooper-snubs-aunz-xv-as-all-blacks-star-in-doubt-for-british-irish-lions-clash
