Michael Hooper says there’s “no reason” why Australia can’t beat Fiji in their semi-final and shock the world by claiming gold at the Paris Olympics, believing John Manenti’s side has “nothing to lose”.
Another defensive masterclass saw Australia beat the USA 18-0 to progress to the final four, with two of three tries coming from turnovers in defence.
The USA shutout meant Manenti’s “misfits” have conceded just five tries in four matches, with two of those tries conceded during their 22-14 win over World Series champions Argentina on day two.
The victory over the USA will see Australia take on Jerry Tuwai’s Fiji on Sunday morning (12am AEST).
Australia will take on Fiji in the semi-finals at the Stade de France in Paris. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While most have Fiji as favourites, Hooper said there was no reason Australia couldn’t just beat the double gold medalists but the whole tournament.
“There’s no reason [they can’t win it],” Hooper told The Roar.
“We’ve got a great run in here. We go good against Fiji. We’ve had good runs against South Africa recently. The French are the form team but have everything to lose. We’ve got nothing to lose.
“If we go out there and apply the usual defensive pressure, we’ll find tries. You always find tries. We’ve got guys that can pull out individual great moments in that team.
“If they’re up for it defensively, there’s no reason why Australia can’t win.
“They’re just in a position of nothing to lose, and I hope they have that mentality over there that they can just go out and play their game.”
If there’s one person who can speak with authority on the subject it is Hooper.
The former Wallabies captain made his debut against Fiji at the Hong Kong Sevens, winning a penalty at the breakdown to see the Aussies secure a win at the famous World Series tournament.
Michael Hooper came up against Fiji during their win at the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Getty Images
But the Wallabies great also squared up against Fiji in their backyard last month during four unofficial matches in Suva.
Australia didn’t claim a win on the short tour, Australia left five first-choice players at home while Fiji used rolling subs and were fortunate not to be shown a few cards for several dangerous tackles.
“If it was a World Series [tournament], they would have had five yellow cards and a couple of reds; there lifting tackles and late tackles, but it was unreal,” Manenti told The Roar at the time.
“We had a huddle at the end and their coach [former captain and Olympic star Osea Kolinisau] apologised for some of their tackling, which might not have been fully legitimate, and he said, ‘We pray for you’.”
Hooper said Australia wouldn’t be scarred by the warm-up matches in Fiji, saying the recent series of matches would be “beneficial”.
“I think our guys are going to be happy with this draw in a semi-final,” Hooper said.
“We’ve performed well against Fiji in recent times, so I think that’s as much of a deterrent for them as well.
“I think it’s a great match-up for a semi-final.”
Nick Malouf in action against the United States at Stade de France on July 25, 2024 in Paris. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Keeping a close eye on Tuwai will be essential.
The Fijian captain’s recent return has coincided with the Island Nation’s stunning form reversal.
Hooper, one of the best defenders in the world, said shutting down the playmaker was essential.
“I’d heard of his teleporting ways before actually playing him. He was just getting back into the groove. He doesn’t have the ability to move as far as he once did, but he moves far enough to spin a defender out,” he said.
“He made pretty impressive stuff doing it at 35. I was put under the pump there a couple of years his junior, so he’s an impressive athlete, but they all are.”
Hooper added the key to Australia’s success was keeping their defensive wall strong.
“When they are into the opposition, defensive pressure, scrapping, burning the boat stuff, flying in, it seems to produce really good results,” Hooper said. “That is very much the preview for Fiji.
“Typically, when you can get into the Fijians and drive them back, then you get looser offloads than what they usually have and they don’t stick. That will be a real hallmark of a good performance against Fiji.”
Meanwhile, Hooper said that Antoine Dupont’s stunning transition to the sevens game, where he scored Les Bleus’ fourth and final try against Argentina, could be a game-changer for Australian rugby in the lead-up to hosting the Olympics in 2032.
“It’s fantastic, isn’t it?” said Hooper, whose own bid to make the Games was hampered by lingering injuries.
“In terms of how good he is, I’ve played him a handful of times, but he’s doing something right. It seems that whatever he touches turns to gold at the moment.
“I think what someone like Depont does is going to really change the way we think about how you could be a rugby player and the opportunities that are presented to a rugby player.”
Semi-finals
France v South Africa, 11:30pm AEST, Saturday July 27
Australia v Fiji, 12:00am AEST, Sunday July 28
Michael Hooper is a rugby expert as part of Stan Sport’s Olympics lineup, the only place to watch every event from Paris 2024 ad-free, live and on demand with 4K. With exclusive features including international multi-language channels and minis, go to Stan.com.au/Olympics for more info.