The NSW Waratahs sadly give a True Blue Farewell to rugby great Michael Hooper, as his final season in sky blue comes to a close
When questioned on what his legacy was, Michael Hooper responded with “it’s a good question for others”, speaking volumes to the humble man he is.
We asked and you delivered – NSW Rugby asked for their fans to reflect on Hooper’s incredible career and pick their favourite moments and highlights.
Let’s have a look at our star no. 7’s seven best moments throughout his Waratahs career in our Tahs Throwback Thursday series.
Hailed as the year of the Tah, the NSW Waratahs finished top of the table and defeated the mighty Crusaders after thirteen years of heartache, all while Hooper led from the front.
After debuting for the club in 2013, Hooper’s exceptional leadership was recognised when he was appointed captain of the NSW Waratahs at the prime age of 22.
We weren’t wrong in doing so either as Hooper led the Waratahs to their first ever Super Rugby Championship, all while maintaining a Waratahs unbeaten home run.
Hooper turned Allianz Stadium into the Tahs fortress with captaining seven critical wins at the home ground in the Super 15 2014.
These include, • 43-21 win over the Force • 32-8 win over the Rebels • 19-12 win over the Bulls • 39-30 win over the Hurricanes • 31-13 over the Lions • 44-16 win over the Highlanders • And our iconic 26-8 Semi-Final win over the Brumbies.
Our unbeaten home run also included some memorable matches at ANZ Stadium. • 32-5 defeat over the Reds • 39-8 win over the Brumbies • And of course, the iconic Grand Final victory over the Crusaders (33-32) with a record 61k crowd.
Ultimately, Hooper’s 2014 side was one of the most exhilarating sides in Super Rugby history with a boastful backline talent coupled well with a monster forward pack.
“It is a great thing to be a part of” said Hooper.
Ultimately, 2014 was an incredible year for the Waratahs and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without our hero ‘Hoops’.
Hailed as one of the most iconic images of NSW rugby, the moment that Hooper hoisted the Super Rugby trophy had to make the cut.
While Dave Dennis was the Waratahs skipper in 2014 who was working his way to claim a maiden title, a season-ending knee injury left all eyes on Hooper to pull through.
It comes as no surprise with Hooper seen as a saviour to his teammates.
“He is one of the greatest of all time to put on the jersey” said Lalakai Foketi.
The men in blue were finally able to discard the chokers tag after winning their maiden Super Rugby title and emotions were high after a rollercoaster season.
“There has been a lot that has gone into this journey” said Hooper in his final press conference for the NSW Waratahs.
When asked to reflect on Hooper, Jed Holloway said: “we talk about greats of the Sky Blue jersey – Phil Waugh, Matt Burke, and Hoops is there with them”.
Ultimately, the moment that Michael Hooper lifted the trophy alongside Dave Dennis fortified his status as a Sky Blue star.
Not only was 2014 the year of the Tah, but it was a hallmark year for ‘Hoops’ who made his name known with an outstanding personal season.
Hooper’s form consisted of many memorable moments, but a stark one is his semi-final tackle on fellow Wallaby Jesse Mogg.
Mogg, renowned as a Brumbies cult figure, was driven back five metres after Hooper’s hit.
It all started when Moggs charged down the field only to be met with Hooper who leapt on to Mogg. Hooper’s tackle on the rangy fullback is one for the books. The crowd were on their feet when they saw Hooper successfully fulfil his mission in defusing a Brumbies raid on the left wing.
Ultimately, this is one of many moments that show Hooper leading by example as he encourages the men in blue to play till the end.
Another example of Hooper leading by example would be what Ned Hanigan refers as his favourite memory of Hooper on the field.
It comes as no surprise that all eyes were on Hooper in the 2014 Super Rugby season, and he was part of a lot of tight contests, particularly in round 12 against the Hurricanes.
“Hoops just comes out of nowhere”, Hannigan referring to Hoopers try saving tackle.
“He [Hooper] got him [TJ Perenara] when it was a bit of a break ball. He came over the top and TJ was heading for try line again”.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Again, “TJ [Perenara] heads to the Tahs left hand edge, sort of beats Hoops on the jump, and as he’s going to score the try, Hoops just saves the try at the end”.
Moments like these is what made Hooper so distinct as a player, as he is constantly exerting his body for that extra percent play.
“He has poured so much into us so I think he will be described as a guy that has invested so much of his time and life into performing to the best of his ability and getting the blokes around him to do the same” said Hanigan.
Throughout his career, Hooper put his body on the line against strong competitors for his team and for NSW.
Jed Holloway tells us that a moment for the books would be Hooper’s performance against the Stormers in the 2016 Super Rugby season.
“One that really sticks out to me is when we played this game” said Holloway.
“For me, really a first year starting, to win in Cape Town was one that sticks solid. For Hoops to pick and drive in and amongst all those big bodies, getting his little frame across the line was a big one”.
Hooper put his body on the line throughout his career and capitalised on critical moments.
“He scored the match winning try”.
It came as no surprise to his teammates.
“He is one of the fiercest competitors who has put on the jersey” said Lachlan Swinton.
Not only is he a fierce competitor, but Hooper is hailed as a warrior too.
“He is just a true warrior, even eighty minutes in the game. He will turn up and train every minute of the week” said Lalakai Foketi.
No. 6 on the list would be Hooper’s iconic 50:22 earlier this year.
Hooper has had a decade long career but continues to make his mark in today’s games. A recent example would be in Round 10 of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific Competition.
After Jake Gordon got the breakdown turnover, Hooper performed a perfect kick from the base of the ruck for a 50:22.
This was important for the Waratahs as it presented opportunities for the men in blue to strike back in the nail-biter of a match against the Highlanders.
All thanks to a 50:22 by Michael Hooper, Lalakai Foketi was able to find a gap in the Highlanders defence and score to have the Waratahs lead at half-time.
As Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman said earlier this year, “notwithstanding his playing ability and what he’ll add to the scoreboard but the professionalism and the way he carries himself has a real positive effect on the team”.
Since debuting in 2013, Michael continues to craft moments like these for the Tahs, even ten years later.
Last but not least and one that you might not expect, Hooper’s final home game in Allianz is one for the history books.
While the score did not give Hooper the fairytale send-off he deserved, there was a lot of reflection coming up to this game as Hooper put on the Sky Blue jersey for the last time in front of a home crowd at our Allianz.
“This place [Allianz] is amazing so in terms of a bedrock and a home, it’s fantastic. It’s a great place to turn up and become your best Rugby player or self” Hooper told reporters leading up to that game.
He truly was his best self.
From start to finish Hooper maintained top form, from jumping into every contest against Moana Pasifika to scoring the very last try for the Tahs. Another example of what epitomises Hooper was his chase back in the 53rd minute.
When the crowd witnessed who was leading the pack a loud cheer went across the stadium, a flanker has no right to be the first on ball after a kick behind the defensive line, but that’s what makes Hooper special.
He fought till the very end even grabbing a try in the eightieth minute. Like a true warrior that Foketi endearingly referred him as, Hooper fought from start to finish in the Waratah way.
He continues to serve NSW off the field too, from stories of him spotting Waratahs fans at a bus stop and giving them a lift to the game, to bleeding blue for a whole decade.
He is the ultimate Tah Man and a true New South Welshman, so to run out in front of a home crowd is one of his many memorable moments with the NSW Waratahs.
You all did get the memo to #CrowdTheHouse as there were almost 20,000 fans there to give Hooper his special send-off as we farewelled our fearless no. 7.
Thank you NSW and thank you Michael Hooper
