International
Wallabies’ Hooper on McReight’s mind
Michael Hooper still looms large over the Wallabies with his flanker replacement Fraser McReight saying he’s trying to make the Test skipper proud.
Hooper is on indefinite leave for mental health reasons but watched Australia best South Africa in their Rugby Championship Test at Adelaide Oval.
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They will again face the world champions at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday, hunting consecutive Test victories for the first time this year.
Playing his fifth Test and first start on home soil, McReight was one of the stars in Adelaide, scoring two tries and forcing a turnover that saved a Springboks’ five-pointer.
The 23-year-old said Hooper messaged him straight after the match to congratulate him on the brace.
Despite Hooper’s absence opening up a starting spot, the Queenslander said he hoped that the Test centurion returned to the game.
In the meantime he planned to make his captain proud.
“He’s been wearing that jersey for decades, so obviously it was a big honour and I want to do him proud and do the jersey proud so I thought I did that,” McReight said.
“He texted me after the game and brought up the two tries I got so he’s probably sitting at home wishing he had scored those.
“I miss him and I want to keep learning off him as he’s one of the greats so hopefully he comes back soon.”
Making his Test debut back in 2020, the Queenslander has served a lengthy apprenticeship behind Hooper, who is among the first picked in each Wallabies side.
But McReight felt it had served him well to learn from one of the game’s “soldiers”.
“Obviously I waited a long time to get that exposure and competing with Hoops for two and a half years was very good for my development in terms of just seeing how he preps – he’s a soldier of the game, a great of the game – to see how he goes day to day and how he backs up from game to game,” McReight said.
“Being his apprentice and learning from him has been wonderful for me.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has made it clear there isn’t room for two specialist openside flankers in the match-day squad and McReight is fully expectant that if and when Hooper returns he will again have to bide his time until another opportunity arises.
Aged 30 now, next year’s Rugby World Cup is likely Hooper’s international last hurrah.
“Who knows – I’m just doing a job for the team at the moment,” McReight said.
“If he comes back and starts at seven, he’s a legend in the game and that’s what’s going to happen.”
Rennie was delighted with what McReight brought to the table against a formidable Boks backrow.
“Fraser has really grabbed his opportunity on the back of good work done in front of him,” said Rennie, referring to the Wallabies pack.
“Hell of an effort for a young seven to get a double and he got his hand on a bit of pill post-tackle so good performance.”
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Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm the signing of Oli Jager from the Crusaders with the tighthead prop signing a contract until the summer of 2027.
Hooker Eoghan Clarke is rejoining Munster on a short-term contract with back three player Colm Hogan also returning on a short-term deal.
Jager will join the province in the coming weeks with his contract beginning at the start of December.
Born in London, Jager started out at Naas RFC before playing schools rugby at Newbridge College and Blackrock College. He lined out for the Ireland U18 Schools team in 2013 before moving to Canterbury in New Zealand at the age of 17.
Initially attending the Crusaders International High Performance Unit, he earned a place in the Crusaders Academy in 2014. After impressing with New Brighton RFC, he earned a place in the Canterbury squad for the Mitre 10 Cup in 2016.
Jager made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2017 and has been a key member of their squad for the past seven years, winning seven consecutive Super Rugby titles.
Eoghan Clarke spent three years in the Munster Academy before departing for Jersey Reds in March 2021. A former Ireland U20 international, Clarke won the English Championship with Jersey Reds last season before the club went into liquidation last month.
Colm Hogan, who has lined out for Ireland U20 and Munster A in the past, played his schools rugby with Glenstal Abbey. He captained Dublin University in the AIL and also had a spell with Colomiers in the PRO D2 while studying in France.
The 26-year-old played for Leinster against Chile last year and lined out with recent Munster arrival Alex Nankivell for Tasman Mako in the NPC this year.
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All Blacks captain Sam Cane will take up a sabbatical option in his New Zealand Rugby (NZR) contract in 2024 to play a season for Suntory in Japan League One.
The 31-year-old, 95-Test loose forward will miss the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season with the Chiefs, but will return to New Zealand in June to be available for selection to the All Blacks for the 2024 Steinlager Series and Rugby Championship campaign.
Cane, who is contracted to NZR through to the end of 2025, said he was looking forward to experiencing a new playing environment with Suntory and learning more about a new culture in Japan.
“When the opportunity to play for Suntory in 2024 came up it felt like the right time following the Rugby World Cup to try something new and also a great chance to continue to grow and learn in my rugby and life journey. I’m grateful to New Zealand Rugby for their support to take this opportunity.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to skip a season with the Chiefs, but I know the team is in a great place and has an incredible group of leaders in the squad and the coaching group to have a successful 2024, and I’m really pleased to be able to return in time to put my best foot forward for selection in the All Blacks.”
NZR CEO Mark Robinson said:
“Sam’s decision to take a sabbatical in 2024 has our full support and we wish him and his family all the best for their time in Japan. There are very few players who have given as much as he has to the jerseys he’s worn in his career to date and it’s a mark of his commitment to the All Blacks that he will return and make himself available for the Test season.”
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan said:
“Sam has given everything to this team on and off the field and deserves to take this opportunity to experience something different. He is an exceptional player and influential leader who has been an integral part of the Gallagher Chiefs for many years. We wish him and his family all the best and hope they enjoy their time in Japan after a full-on year.”
Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby
Dominant loose forward Luke Jacobson has extended his contract with the Gallagher Chiefs, Waikato and New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2025.
The 18-test All Black was a consistent starter for the Gallagher Chiefs this year and a key element of their outstanding DHL Super Rugby Pacific performances. He consequently went on to be named in the All Blacks squad to travel to France.
Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan is delighted to have Jacobson sticking around for another two seasons.
“Luke is an outstanding player; he’s a workhorse, a consistent performer and considered a real warrior within our group. Luke leads by example both on and off the field. He isnt one to waste words and prefers to let his actions speak for themself. In the absence of some senior players who have moved on, I have no doubt Luke will play an integral part providing the leadership and guidance our younger players will be looking for”.
Jacobson has impressed throughout his career, playing for the New Zealand U20s team twice and captaining them in his second season to win the 2017 U20 World Championship title. This aptitude for leadership has seen him pull on the Gallagher Chiefs captain’s armband on multiple occasions.
Waikato Rugby head coach Ross Filipo is excited about Luke extending his career with Waikato. “He is a great man and a great leader who continues to make huge contributions on and off the field and always represents the region with pride.”
Speaking on his signing Jacobson said: “I’m stoked to signing on with the Waikato, Chiefs and NZR for another two years. I love representing these teams and am very proud to be able to call myself a Waikato/Chiefs man and also and All black. I’m hungry to succeed with these teams and tick off a few unticked boxes.”
The 2024 Gallagher Chiefs squad will be named later this year ahead of assembling for pre-season training.
Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby
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