Spray to bouquet Hooper and retiring ref bury hatchet after Wallabies loss

Michael Hooper showed what makes him the standard bearer in Australian rugby with a classy act of statesmanship after the Wallabies’ loss to Scotland overnight.

The Australian captain put to one side a heated on field exchange with referee Romain Poite to congratulate the Frenchman on his retirement after 72 Tests in charge.

Poite has called the shots in some controversial matches in the Wallabies’ recent history, including the 2019 World Cup pool match against Wales, which saw Samu Kerevi penalised for a dangerous ball carry and Poite cop a stinging rebuke from then-coach Michael Cheika.

But Hooper put aside any disagreements - historical and current - to acknowledge Poite’s long and distinguished career in Test rugby. The pair chatted in the match officials’ room after Hooper, beer in hand, presented Poite a didgeridoo on behalf of the Wallabies.

It was a marked turnaround from the exasperated Hooper of the first half of the Wallabies’ 15-13 loss to the Scots.

The openside flanker tried to head off a sanction against prop Allan Alaalatoa, who had cleaned out a ruck in the moments preceding a try to Hooper in the 36th minute.

Michael Hooper scored a try but found himself arguing with Romain Poite about a clean out in its build up moments later.Credit:AP

Poite was having none of it, marching towards the Australian vice captain to issue a yellow card for a swinging arm that made contact with a Scotland defender.

“You can’t be serious. You can’t be serious,” Hooper said.

“I am serious Michael. It’s not my decision,” Poite replied.

“Well it is, because you’re the ref. I’ll get him.”

Eye to eye: Michael Hooper and French referee Romain Poite talk during Australia’s loss to Scotland. Credit:AP

A moment later, the Wallabies captain had another go.

“Mate I can’t believe that. What are you going to call?”

“No.3. Call No.3 please, Michael. We can talk after the game about my decision if you want but now it’s clear,” Poite said.

“It’s a weak decision.”

Hooper walks off the field after the match.Credit:AP

“I know it’s a big decision...,” Poite replied, before Hooper corrected him.

“No, it’s a weak decision.”

The Frenchman carried on, putting the onus squarely on the ill-disciplined Wallabies. “Who did that (clean out), is it me or is it him (Alaalatoa)?”

“He didn’t do anything. I believe that,” Hooper replied.

Poite drew a line as he reached for the yellow card. “It’s clearly a swinging arm. It’s a big call I understand, but it’s clear head contact, that’s a yellow card with no force.”

The Wallabies thought the card was over the top, with coach Dave Rennie choosing his words carefully after the match.

It was a costly loss for the visitors too, highlighted when Alaalatoa’s replacement, Taniela Tupou, was taken off the field for a head injury assessment, leaving the Wallabies without a tighthead prop.

James Slipper capably switched sides in the scrum until Alaalatoa returned but Rennie said after the match the scrum officiating was a “mess” and he would be sending Australia’s feedback through to the match officials.

Hooper simmered down and went on to share a wry moment with the referee later in the match, joking that he liked it when Poite could see what he could see.

Any remaining misgivings were buried for good after the match to commend Poite’s contribution to Test rugby. Hooper wandered into the match officials’ dressing room holding a didgeridoo in one hand and a can of Tennents Lager in the other to congratulate the 45-year-old. They chatted for some time as the former police detective paid tribute to Hooper.

“As I told you it has been a big privilege to referee you because you are a great player,” Poite said.

“Thanks mate, I appreciate that.”

“I remember the World Cup in 2015 when you beat England (Poite was referee) ... it was a great game. It is always a big challenge for us to referee you because you are a good contest player but fair and a good captain as well. Thank you very much.”

Australia face a six-day turnaround before meeting England at Twickenham on Saturday.

They look to have lost winger Jordan Petaia to a hamstring injury but will sweat on Tupou being cleared to return to play. Rennie said the Queensland prop had pulled up well after the match.

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