There was no fairytale for Michael Hooper and his NSW Waratahs as they sought to end a drought over the Blues at Eden Park dating back 15 years.
The ‘Tahs came into the 2023 season among the favourites for the Super Rugby Pacific title but battled throughout and were ultimately bundled out in the quarter-finals.
The Blues delivered a dominant display at the Eden Park fortress, winning 41-12 in front of a raucous home crowd.
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It marked the end of an era for Hooper, whose playing career with the Waratahs is all but over.
Hooper’s farewell has flown under the radar to a degree, although the absence of Jake Gordon due to injury has thrust Hooper back into the spotlight as the stand-in captain.
Post-match, there was imagery of Hooper sat on his own as Waratahs co-captain Jed Holloway spoke fondly of his teammate – the veteran left to reflect on his career.
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“Mate, there’s a lot I’m going to miss about him,” said Holloway.
“Just his overall intensity. His care to each and every player. His willingness to have conversations, the hard conversations and give you absolute honesty.
“Just his drive. For a guy that’s done it as long as he has, still be the guy leading in every kick chase in everything he does, it’s amazing.
“Mate, I’m going to miss him. I know the ‘Tahs are going to miss him and I wish him all the best.”
Former Wallabies star Morgan Turinui noted that vision, explaining “it’ll be a little bit of a grieving process” for Hooper.
“The Waratahs have been so much in his life as a human being. He got the farewell, not the one he wanted last week, and now it’s all over,” he said.
“Sometimes you’re sitting there with the realisation – I remember sitting there with a beer on the field at the footy stadium with Chris Whittaker and Nathan Grey after his last, just to try and have that moment until we separate again and don’t see each other again.
“There’s a huge emotional connection with Hoops and that sky blue jersey.”
Turinui said the woes which plagued them throughout the year came back to haunt them at the most crucial moment.
“It’s funny, it was almost a little resume for their season,” said Turinui.
“All their little inaccuracies through the year came home to roost.
“That’s finals footy and this was the game where it was going to be a positive season for the Waratahs making the semi or coming sixth – not quite good enough for the high expectations we had for them.”
Christie finishes brilliant Blues try
That sentiment was echoed by Holloway.
“To be honest, inconsistent,” said Holloway when asked to sum up the team’s season.
“We started really slow, clawed our way back, and tapered off towards the end there.
“It’s disappointing mate. A couple of great men; Hoops and Te Tera Faulkner, Tolu Latu finish their careers at the club. It’s disappointing that we send them out like that.”
The Sydneysiders came to Auckland as underdogs and never really threatened, despite opening the scoring courtesy of Ned Hanigan in the first three minutes.
Waratahs outside centre star Dylan Pietsch thought he had scored in the corner to give his side the lead, only for replays to show Christie got his hand on the ball and knocked it out.
Pietsch scored a consolation try in the dying moments, but the Blues were otherwise untouchable in what was a dominant display and a warning to their semi-final rivals.
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