This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Michael Hooper has revealed how the humbling 3-0 series loss to Eddie Jones’ England last year derailed the Wallabies’ entire 2016 campaign, as they prepare to face Japan in Yokohama on Saturday.



Australia’s clash with England at Twickenham on 16 November is the showpiece fixture of the Wallabies’ four-Test spring tour of Japan and Britain, with the Wallabies privately plotting revenge against the Six Nations champions.



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While the immediate focus is on dealing with the Brave Blossoms, Hooper admits the Wallabies still sting from being whitewashed by England in a three-Test home series for the first time in a century-old rivalry.



“That was a pretty tough time, particularly off the back of 2015 [when the Wallabies made the World Cup final],” Hooper said. “To turn around, start really hot in that first game and be beaten three-nil so convincingly was tough to take.

“We had to re-check ourselves and it did waver us for the whole of last year.”



The fact the Wallabies bolted to a 10-point lead in the series opener and out-scored England on the try front over the three Tests only adds to the pain. Fifteen penalty goals from sharp-shooting five-eighth Owen Farrell ultimately brought about Australia’s downfall.

“That three-game series really got away from us last year,” Hooper recalled. “We came out of the gates in that first game really hot but just pressure moments let them back in.

“Obviously they’ve got a great set piece, a good structure around how they kick and also attack, so for us it’s about being able to relieve pressure, getting out of our zone effectively so they can’t build the scoreboard like they have in previous games.”



England also defeated Australia 37-21 on last year’s spring tour, leaving the Wallabies winless against them since humiliating – and eliminating – the tournament hosts from the 2015 World Cup with a 33-13 thrashing at Twickenham.



That loss led to the sacking of coach Stuart Lancaster, with Jones four from four against his old Randwick team-mate Michael Cheika in showdowns with the Wallabies since taking over as England boss.

Australia’s playmaking depth will be tested against Japan on Saturday, with Reece Hodge and Nick Phipps named in the halves after injury and illness forced multiple changes for the historic Test match in Yokohama.



Regular five-eighth Bernard Foley has been ruled out of the match after being struck down by a gastro bug while halfback Will Genia failed to overcome a calf injury suffered in the Wallabies’ win over New Zealand last month.



Karmichael Hunt has also been sidelined after injuring his neck at training on Tuesday, with Kurtley Beale shifting to fullback, Samu Kerevi partnering Tevita Kuridrani in the centres and Henry Speight taking Hodge’s wing berth.



Hodge played four Tests at inside centre after making his international debut last year before moving this season to the wing, where he has been a revelation. But with Cheika overlooking Quade Cooper for the four-Test tour, the versatile 23-year-old was the first-choice back-up.

Hodge spent the bulk of his junior career as five-eighth and some time there with the Melbourne Rebels but Saturday’s match marks his Test debut in the No10 jersey.



Former Western Force lock Matt Philip, 23, has been named to make his Test debut from the bench as Australia play their first Test against the Brave Blossoms on Japanese soil.



Halfback Joe Powell and utility back Curtis Rona round out the bench, as both aim to add to their two Test caps. The trio of Foley, Genia and Hunt are all expected to be available for the Wallabies’ first Test in the UK, against Wales next week.

Australia: Kurtley Beale, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Nick Phipps, Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Ned Hanigan, Adam Coleman, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Philip, Ben McCalman, Lopeti Timani, Joe Powell, Curtis Rona.