Australian rugby star Michael Hooper has been refreshingly candid about his readiness for his upcoming debut in the World Rugby Sevens series in Hong Kong. The experienced Wallabies player, a veteran of both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, has made the transition to Sevens in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Despite being sidelined by an Achilles injury, the 32-year-old has recuperated in time to join the squad for the upcoming tournament. Unlike Antoine Dupont, who briefly dabbled in Sevens before returning to XVs, Hooper has committed his entire year to the shorter form of the game.

He acknowledges that his limited time before the Olympic Games means he must quickly adapt to the new challenges of Sevens. Hooper recognizes the demanding physicality of the game and anticipates a steep learning curve as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his career.