Michael Hooper - Rugby's Biggest Thugs

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I must state that in NO way, shape or form am I intending to infringe rights of the copyright holder. Content used is strictly for research/reviewing purposes and to help educate. All under the Fair Use law.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

[@claudiusatlas8083]

He nearly has 100 caps for the Wallabies and all you could put together is 7 or 8 incidents? That's a pretty damn clean record.

[@mareschallannes6661]

Word

[@hughiemg2]

And all yellow cards...couldn't even find a few reds!

[@NathanMcClintock]

It was all pretty much run of the mill.stuff..

[@simonlevett4776]

7 or 8 incidents of thuggery is enough, isn't it ?

[@jemesanarawa5587]

As an Australian, I think Hooper isn't one of the "biggest thugs", but he certainly puts his whole heart into the game

[@tipperary1082]

That's just the name of the series. There are players even cleaner than Hooper that have been covered in the series.

[@PH33RPIKEY]

The first one was difficult, he was a bit reckless but also the south African jumped into the tackle

[@Karma-qt4ji]

Etzebeth jumped, true, but there is no doubt whatsoever that Hooper hit low and ended much higher, clearly indicating that he lifted. He also did not catch Etzebeth but used his arm and shoulder as a pivot, making it worse. Tough though it may seem, the yellow was justified.

[@PH33RPIKEY]

@@Karma-qt4ji yeah I would definitely say yellow, it's not worth a red

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@PH33RPIKEY He got a yellow.

[@obanbaird4384]

@@Karma-qt4ji however people are taught to come from low to high while tackling

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@obanbaird4384 That is no excuse at all. The laws are clear and his tackle (THIS tackle) was in contradiction of the laws and it ended up being dangerous. End of story.

[@matteobannatyne6279]

I'm South African, so it pains me to defend an Ausy - but Hooper is a class act and a great player! Real pitbull on the field. A lot of these infringements were accidental, unfortunate timing or him reacting to dirty play done to him by someone else.

[@Grumpy181155]

My sentiments exactly.

[@jasongeorgiades6009]

Agreed. Reckless, yes. Thuggish, no. There's a diff.

[@themeatman6991]

Aussie*

[@matteobannatyne6279]

@@themeatman6991 Thank you

[@jonpaul4935]

Agreed in that you don't see deliberately dangerous play from him, however he enters every single ruck from the side and gets away with it somehow.

[@lawrencebird8701]

Branding Hooper as one of 'Rugby's Biggest Thugs' is a bit over the top ngl

[@briangirven7565]

How many times must you be sent of to become a thug

[@hammerhiem75]

Most yellow cards in international rugby. Says a lot that none of them are for cynical professional fouls like holding on on his goal line.

[@peaceforgaelandscot]

Nah he's a c**t.

[@jacobfelsing2887]

So, at 1:14 that's not being a thug? If you even have the intention to do that you are a thug.

[@rahulplett8854]

Hahahaha

[@connormaguire8909]

rugby's biggest thugs: he goes for a charge down and runs into the guy, lifts to horizontal, a tackle 0.25 seconds late,

[@1986wombat]

How is that being a thug!? Come on! He is no Dylan Hartley. Bit harsh to have him in that category

[@peteroconnor2686]

hes said several times if someone requests it and there is enough footage he'll make it

[@codydwyer]

Yeah He just shows bad footage of players and that’s just the name of the series

[@alexcharles4693]

Bra your name is wombat

[@markstevens1347]

Or Richard Loe

[@Deebemc]

I don’t see thuggery or any cheapshots. The guy is robust. The referees called the plays right though. .......must confess it was nice to see a real thug ,Etsebeth, getting flipped for change.

[@hughiemg2]

Still a legend... I'd have him in my team every day of the week..

[@simonlevett4776]

You like thugs as well then.

[@wolfster53]

Who else thought this was gonna be cooler but was lame?

[@Cxlbz]

Me

[@usr7941]

Those who don't watch actual games. Sorry you fell for clickbait

[@AUmarcus]

Because he ain't no thug....

[@TheBillyboyb]

Bollocks - Hooper like all open sides that are any good, play on the edge of the rules. Yes, I'm English.

[@SuperEdge67]

TheBillyboyb I bet you called McCaw a cheat.

[@TheBillyboyb]

@@SuperEdge67 No world class 7 - it's only cheating if you get caught.

[@o.binwheelie9733]

Didn’t know you had open sides in England mind

[@splitpitch]

"it's not tiddlywinks, mate" Tana Umuga

[@sm0636]

Australia just smashed the all blacks woahhh

[@cheezyboy046]

word brah so phat they were down on a red card tho

[@charlierathborne7730]

@@cameronkirsten1396 stfu wallabies r godly now

[@Redt_123]

@@charlierathborne7730 your wallabies will get slaughtered again next week like always

[@sm0636]

Francois Verster Ye that will happen😂 I doubt there actually a good side

[@thomaspryde5523]

Not every day you get to say that or at least once every ten years.

[@willanderson3224]

When you put in 5million tackles a game, some of em are bound to be nasty

[@jonmytton]

Awesome competitor, world class flanker. If you're not living on the edge, you take up too much room - love from Wales

[@ramonchavez2790]

After watching this video I have no idea how ruby is played. But it looks amazing

[@Pafuki25]

He’s not a thug, he’s also not an angel lol

[@jacksondonovan4233]

Michael Hooper isn’t really a thug, he’s just a good tackler

[@harrisonyeet7025]

So are you saying a good tackle is a head hi

[@seangentry74]

He is a horrid tackler.

[@MarsFKA]

Hooper's no thug - the occasional brain explosion, maybe, but no thug. (All Blacks fan speaking , here)

[@jamiewest1489]

MarsFKA so true personally I think he's a quality player

[@kevinwatts73]

Yep. Some pretty dumb / mistimed tackles here, but not really a thug. (by another All Blacks fan).

[@markjones464]

THAT , WHAT I LIKE ABOUT UNION , WHEN ALL BLACK SUPPORTER SUPPORTER STICK UP FOR A AUSSIE PLAYER . PS I WAS GOING TO SAY COME IN TO BAT FOR US , STILL EMBARRASSED UBOUT UNDERARM BALL , I RATHER LOST THAT GAME, WE REAL AUSSIE DON'T EXPECT YOUR FORGIVENESS WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT , AND THEN THE SANDPAPPER INDECENT , WIN AT ALL COST , BULL SHIT As I Said I rather Lose Ps If you Display Humility in a Loss , You are a winner in life !! Thanks again

[@charliedinneen1392]

Love your videos dude but hooper is the furthest thing from a rugby thug !

[@cheezyboy046]

thank you

[@1986wombat]

Agreed! He is no thug

[@hfin1014]

Agreed

[@JK-rz9xj]

Definitely a thug. And a good actor to send off Barrett. If his neck was that bad why was he still playing. Biggest wanker thug.

[@dulajohnstone5704]

Yeah Hooper's no thug...just joking🤣

[@123dshaw]

When he commits… he commits! I can appreciate that.

[@Round_07]

If you think Hooper is a thug you’re watching the wrong sport 🤔 (BTW I’m not an Aussie)

[@alphascorpii185]

He plays the wrong sport. Curling should calm him down, I doubt he'll behave like that on the ice.

[@JungleNation333]

if you think your mums pretty youre watching the wrong porn

[@tomlumley2439]

He is a bit reckless but it’s funny tbf

[@AguABaixO2]

Fair enough, it is Rugby, nothing wrong with being a tough nail. However, there is only one place you shouldn't hit, which is the head, and for a good reason. If he does indeed mean to hit with shoulder, no wrap, and/or late and high, well that's kinda thuggish, no? He does put the best poker face on, though.

[@simonlevett4776]

You have strange views on what sport is.

[@livingcolours1541]

He just played fantastically well against the All Blacks. 😁

[@skippership7]

As a big England fan (so not a Aussie supporter at all) I have to say that Michael Hooper is simply world class, a wonderful player with a heart of a lion and an engine most rugby players would die for! I only wish he’d played for England. Lord how I miss the old days when rugby was so less clinical and much more enjoyable than it is today! Michael Hooper = top, top man!

[@simonlevett4776]

You have a strange idea about what makes players great. Thuggery doesn't seem to bother you at all then ? Hooper is a world class moron and thug in the same vein as Willie Mason.

[@skippership7]

@@simonlevett4776 Oh so your one of the namby-pamby armchair bureaucrats changing the rules and killing the game for millions of us ex players. A bit of "player regulation" should allowed back into the game to make it more exciting, nothing better than doing bit of mountain climbing with some nice long studs to anyone lying on the wrong side. Stop these namby-pamby's killing our game. As BM once said..... *Its not the winning it's the taking apart*

[@JK-rz9xj]

Thank Andrew Forde for making this clip. Shows what a true thug he really is. I'm from South Africa and we don't have thugs in our team ever. We play fair.

[@willplaysrugby]

Bakkies Botha and Shalk Burger are two of the biggest thugs of all time

[@JK-rz9xj]

@@willplaysrugby gummon mate. They are big soft teddy bears.

[@paulfitz6614]

South Africa are the biggest cheats in rugby.

[@jacobwatene2343]

The Habana tackle was legit nothing wrong with that. Good solid tackle.

[@MamaNewGuinea]

Cant believe this guy is a captain of an international rugby team

[@simonlevett4776]

At last someone talking sense.

[@chrisfreeston3053]

Etzebeth jumps into ever tackle. Hardly surprising he got turned over

[@dylanbenjaminwalter2896]

You could make this video about any forward with that many games. Hooper is a great player and a gentleman to boot.

[@jackfinnian2064]

I'm sorry but no gentlemen would do this 1:14

[@dylanbenjaminwalter2896]

@@jackfinnian2064 you haven't played rugby then...

[@jackfinnian2064]

@@dylanbenjaminwalter2896 mate I'm not claiming that this doesn't happen in rugby I'm just saying no gentleman should do that

[@dylanbenjaminwalter2896]

@@jackfinnian2064 do you think gentlemen don't shoot people in war? As a former player let me tell you this, the only reason that a level headed, classy man like MH would have done that is if that player had stuck his fingers in his eyes or kicked him on the ground or something. Sometimes you have to win the fight to win the game

[@jackfinnian2064]

@@dylanbenjaminwalter2896 I understand you pov it's just to me it doesn't really look justified in this incident from that clip

[@CF-lg8jd]

thug my ass, 100% committed, love the guy and not a big fan of the oz team in general

[@jacobfelsing2887]

1:14 says it all bro.

[@jackfinnian2064]

@@jacobfelsing2887 facts

[@friendlypug6345]

The first one was Etzebeths fault!!!!

[@redemrys5342]

No it wasn't! =D

[@broskimedula5300]

No-one's fault actually. It's just an overreaction from Willem Alberts that lead to some push-and-shove.

[@oisinfm8017]

Its one of those things where theres no actual fault, was dangerous but he jumped into it

[@seonggi-hun7482]

@@redemrys5342 he jumped as the player was tackling him. At that point it is just physics

[@luchiboy]

I'm Kiwi. I can easily say Hooper isn't a thug without feeling out of place. He's a tough son of a gun that plays with his heart on his sleeve. Owen Farrell / Tomas Lavanini are the real thugs

[@tonymeredith9116]

Agree, Hooper is no thug, he plays hard at 200%. Great respect from a Kiwi.

[@mastertemple8369]

He's no Richard Lowe, but plays hard...

[@rotatukacoho]

A decade ago they not one of these tackles would stir an interest other than "you beauty"

[@yaboykronos9912]

Ok boomer

[@wills2736]

Yeah then every stopped thinking so good

[@charliejohnson6752]

Hoopers one of the best in the game. Not a thug atall, worst one was the one on mike brown. Rest just standard stuff

[@67Evan]

Hooper is no thug- a few hard tackles is all. Bakkies Botha- now he was a thug

[@Karma-qt4ji]

The charge on Sanchez was similar to the one that earned CJ Stander a red card and ultimately ended Pat Lambie's career; the next incident was punching a player in the face; after that, a shoulder charge on a player in the ruck; next a jump up and swinging a player by the neck; 3 spear tackles or at the very least lifting a player past the horizontal and not bringing him safely to ground. I do not dispute that Bakkies could be dirty, but please don't make out that this was only a "few hard tackles". Most of the ones I listed above were cheap shots and designed to hurt.

[@satanclaus1285]

@@Karma-qt4ji Stamping, eye gouging, headbutting, biting, yeah he could be dirty, Jesus......makes hooper look pretty tame doesn't it.

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@satanclaus1285 Not sure what you are trying to say here, bud. But if you are trying to minimise Hooper's "sins" by comparing them to Botha's... well that is a bit like saying murder is okay as long as you are not a serial killer, isn't it?

[@satanclaus1285]

@@Karma-qt4ji Does it make hooper look tame?

[@satanclaus1285]

@@Karma-qt4ji I think he got nine weeks for the headbutt alone did'nt he?

[@ciaranmc8555]

Hooper is one of the best open side flankers ever every player fucks up labelling him as a thug is just stupid like he just captained the team that battered New Zealand

[@joepeace8094]

Nothing more than a classic rugby union flanker it's quite small for all the game he played

[@colc5469]

First clip is just an unlucky contact not thuggery. Hooper is in place for a standard chop which 90% of the time is fine but momentum carries Etzebeth and he lands dangerously. Nobody is really at fault

[@charliemarmite1058]

ABs supporter here - he's no thug...he's a great player , but I do love watching him cry

[@benji72636]

I wish I was smashing people in that game I’m a massive fan of rugby GO NZ IN THE WORLD CUP

[@kennethhichens2498]

Big ooof my country won

[@white_ruben0330]

Big of straya came nowhere near lol

[@mmmmmmmmmm.m.]

My favourite is the last one . If your going to get a card make it worthwhile 😂

[@4fs953]

He had a top game today vs nz you could see they went after him in the tackles

[@11happychap]

Pay back is a bitch.

[@alexchapman3906]

It’s interesting to watch this and compare the cards from then vs the last 2 years. Most would be Red now.

[@dunlaoghaire]

The hit on Mike Brown is very pleasing to behold.

[@owendoyle4245]

dunlaoghaire 😂😂😂

[@Lord_of_the_wingz]

Hardly , I've give you 2 maybe 3 of those. Hooper is a good and fair player .

[@gazbgroundwork1123]

I think Hooper punches way above his weight tbh. He is generally out weighed but seldom comes up short physically. Plus he knows pocock wont be far away.

[@of218]

Doesn’t get the credit and respect he deserves

[@obanbaird4384]

Tbh i disagree with this video as most were accidental and he shows remorse

[@conormcconaghy578]

I agree

[@bigblue390]

Oban Baird hes not showing remorse hes always got that stupid cross eyed look on his face its just how he looks

[@ragamuffin1588]

When did he show remorse?

[@snowman01]

I wish I understood the rules of rugby union better. I actually couldn't see what was "thuggish" about that play

[@sjos691]

Alot of illegal plays

[@Maul3286]

Good timing 😂

[@petereichstein5603]

Geez it would be fair to say that 80% of rugby players are thugs looking at these examples, most players would have committed these infringements. This would make Richard Lowe the worst serial killer of all time

[@MrT67]

At least spell his name properly.

[@tomnolan2399]

2:31 that was just a good solid hit!

[@dannykettle2466]

Tom Nolan the whistle had blown he lifts the carriers legs above the horizontal then the carrier lands with force on his back it is a yellow card

[@jonikruz304]

I'm a kiwi . He is a good hard player

[@SuperRKO92]

The tackle on habana was clean and not worth a yellow! He lifted him off the ground, legs didn't go over his head and he was brought down safely. Perfectly legal

[@poerava]

The South African that executed a wrestling move on cooper should have been yellow carded also.

[@mikedangerdoes]

Ok there's a bit more in here than I thought there would be. But a few of these clips are just hard luck.

[@RayzerSharpe]

Regardless of the above ...guaranteed first on the team sheet every time.. one of the best

[@dantemon6952]

The mans work rate says it all .I'm a kiwi who grew up with Ritchie mccaw,(north otago )but Michael hooper is one of my favorite loosies..mans going down a legend of auzzie union .

[@keza41]

A thug? He doesn’t always get it right but that doesn’t make him a thug, he’s no Bakkies! 😁

[@AL3X2580]

first one seems kinda idk... etzebeth tried to jump over him, since hooper just caught his feet while he's jumping (and he was comitted the tackle) of course he's gonna do a cartwheel

[@yahdoggchill9554]

Did we watch the same video mate?? He never tried to jump over him, both feet were still on the ground..

[@grantcopeland7339]

as a kiwi and AB supporter I cringe every time Hooper gets close to the ball because he's such an awesome talented player I expect him to have the ball in his hands due to his hunger to win, No THUG in my eyes

[@strawberryandcreamfiend4880]

WTF he just plays hard tho

[@cheezyboy046]

word

[@zacflashman3772]

I see why this guy thinks he is a grub…… he supports wales

[@meanmaori00]

He’s just a hard nut who forgets and gets carried away but it’s because he’s hungry for conflict. He’s a hard nut

[@Lehmann108]

Thug? Nah, not when he's on your team!

[@elmago3628]

This mans double leg takedowns are incredible!😂 ✌

[@jackfinnian2064]

And illegal

[@bigboi2008uk]

Hooper is a fantastic player. You've really made this "thug" theme redundant. All these videos are just of physical players. I haven't seen many Welsh make the cut though...are you guys just squeaky clean? 🤣😂🐑

[@VikingRhys]

If he'd been an all black he'd called the world's best tackler 😂😂😂😂

[@ettiennebatesjnr9151]

He is a good hard player

[@ims9374]

After watching this he has a lot more respect from me , yours truly ; proud crusaders and all blacks fan xoxo, this guy is awesome .

[@jakebaine]

A lot of these would be textbook tackles in the NFL

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Basically just a late tackle merchant, taking out players without the ball. Does it so often, it cannot be accidental.

[@cowboyup6744]

I think the biggest rugby thug is Raelene Castle

[@raymondmckinley5955]

If you took the time to read the title you would understand that it’s multiples not singular I.e “thugs”!

[@MrT67]

Ok Israel....

[@AUSSIE_LAD-df5yt]

Written by a Aussie: Andrew forde is probably a New Zealander because he is calling Michael hooper a thug

[@11happychap]

He may well be a New Zealander but look at all the dumb Aussies who are trying to claim Michael Hooper isn't a thug

[@eddiescarf9678]

11happychap wtf are you then, American you probably don’t know what rugby is unless you are New Zealander Aussie Or the United Kingdom

[@11happychap]

@@eddiescarf9678 funniest comment ever

[@MitchMBowring1]

About five of them aren’t even penalties!

[@MrT67]

Most of them were clear penalties and yellow cards at least. He has poor tackling technique, where he often lifts players and lifts their hips higher than their shoulders, driving them head first into the ground. That's very dangerous play and a clear yellow card. He also hit a few players head high. Another clear yellow card.

[@burtonweakley2525]

Funny part of the comments here, if it were Bakkies Botha or Schalk Burger taking these shots they would be thugs. I have no doubt that Hooper is and will remain a legend player, but his off the ball stuff over the years is what makes him such a good player and thorn in most teams side. Respect, play hard gents

[@leka3627]

BARBARIAN ADDICTED

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

This is my favourite series from you Andrew. I'll always appreciate the bad boys in this game.

[@agnostic47]

People seem to have forgotten what a class one thug Martin Johnson was before he was made captain.

[@noelburland7169]

A lot of these clips are of a player being a bit too reckless rather than an outright thug (and I'm an All Blacks fan). Michael Hooper is a good player who pushes the aggressiveness on the field but he's no thug. The only thing wrong with his game is that he has taken over from Stephen Moore in behaving like a petulant idiot towards the referee when things aren't going his team's way. During the Bledisloe decider in Auckland it was noticeable how more and more petulant he became towards the referee as the All Blacks gained control of the game. Under Michael Cheika the Wallaby captains have had no idea how to "man-manage" the referees by building a rapport with them and instead have a tendency to become petulant and thus getting offside with the man with the whistle. I can remember in 2016 Stephen Moore pushing Romain Poite's patience so much during a test match in Wellington that the French referee started ignoring his petulant antics, which led to more petulance from Michael Cheika in the press conference after the game.

[@deejarvisful]

Football = touch someone's ankle, red card. Rugby = swing on someone's neck 3 times, yellow card. 😀

[@hozze8597]

Rugby is obviously a more agressive sport and a ugly tackle on the ankles in football could end someone's season

[@paulfitz6614]

A couple of these were just good tackles that went wrong because of collision speeds or positioning. Not malicious.

[@thirlan1]

Great hit on Habana!

[@Maul3286]

0:48 I still don’t get how he got a yellow when Stuart Hogg did the exact same thing to Dan Biggar in 2014 and got a red

[@Karma-qt4ji]

CJ Stander also got red for similar hit on Pat Lambie.

[@fenbury]

Thug? No.... Competitor? Absolutely

[@gquina5328]

He’s not a thug, he just makes 100% effort plays, like I’m no rugby guy, I play football, but I can tell that man tries his best every chance he gets, no matter what he’s there to stop the man in front of him.

[@simonlevett4776]

Cobblers, get your eyes tested creep.

[@Brdr685]

As an a.b's fan. I just think hes a tough passionate bastard

[@AppByDesign]

You would be hard pressed to even find an Englishman who would agree Hooper was a thug.

[@viewsONTRENDING]

He ain't a thug, he's tougher then a motherfucker, dudes a legend and that's coming from a kiwi and AB's supporter

[@HampshireHooker]

No thug at all. Let's spare the hyperbole for when it fits the player. Compared with 30 years ago, there are no thugs left in the game.

[@twat584]

Omw these aussies 😂

[@stevok777777]

good on him 'were not playing tweddily winks here Peter'

[@fatShowPony]

I'm a kiwi and think Hooper is a class act. He just goes hard all the time so he's going to have the occasional incidental slip up, none of this stuff is that bad. A much better player than show pony Pocock.

[@pascanlons400kg8]

Literally most of these have Nigel Owens as ref and he him self has said Hooper is one of the nicest and most genuine Rugby players of all time

[@truckeemick2486]

Aaron Malone. did Nigel say that? Nigel may have a thing for blonds. Nah just kidding . i dont think Hooper should be on a thug list either .

[@Cam120614]

Troll... Hooper is not a thug. A hard player at 120% and pushing the boundaries. Nothing malicious nor grub in his play. Take this down.

[@seancameron1011]

He should be playing Aussie rules!!!

[@lordmenetti]

Nah mate. Getting recognition on a world wide stage while travelling the world has more appeal. Name another sport where you get a point for missing.

[@ShinySuicune339]

He's had about 8 yellow cards, he's a thug, no question. Most out of anyone.

[@JohnSmith-mu8zo]

First video number 4 did jump into the tackle and he had a full wrap around like it wasn’t that bad

[@75robcam]

Third one was the only bad shot. Unlucky with the rest of them

[@charlismith455]

Based off All Black game should be Michael Hooper vs 15 thugs trying to bash him