Tom Hooper has praised the impact of Wallabies veterans Nic White and Will Skelton for the edge they give Joe Schmidt’s charges.
The duo both started the third Test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia, helping the side to a 22-12 victory with the pair taking the fight to the tourists.
White and Skelton both riled up the Lions and got under the skin of the opposition, and are set to deploy similar tactics in the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Hooper, who also started that third Test, hailed the impact of giant second rower Skelton, who plies his trade at French club La Rochelle, for his ability to set the tone physically for the Wallabies.
Will Skelton, the enforcer
And he expects him to do the same against a Springboks‘ pack that is renowned to be the best in the world.
“Absolutely. I think he’d definitely be up for that challenge, and anyone who’s picked in the jersey alongside him will follow him into battle, that’s for sure,” Hooper told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s great, mate. He’s an enforcer, and that’s what he’s been doing for a long time now in the beautiful sport of rugby.
“He’s been, for want of a better word, he loves being that grub. He loves taking it to teams physically and making the gentleman’s game a bit more exciting.
“We love playing with him and he’s just a physical presence. I’ve never felt so small when I go over at the end of the game and give him a big hug, I feel like a little kid again. So, it’s always good.”