Tri Nations: Michael Hooper calls on Wallabies to lift their game with trophy up for grabs

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is urging his players to leave everything out on the pitch against Argentina, as they chase their first piece of silverware since 2015. 

The Wallabies haven't won a major trophy since capturing the Rugby Championship five years ago and Hooper hopes to end that drought in this year's Tri Nations. 

That drought stretches even longer with the Bledisloe Cup, which they haven't held in 18 years, while their last Rugby World Cup triumph was 1999. 

Winners of Saturday's Tri Nations test in Newcastle will overtake the All Blacks in the standings and put them in the driver's seat to win the trophy. 

While their main goal was to win the Bledisloe Cup, Hooper says capturing the Tri Nations trophy in Dave Rennie's first year as the Wallabies coach would be a great achievement. 

"We want to grow as a team and be a consistent team," he says. "With that, we make no bones that we want to put some silverware in our closet again. 

"To do that, we need to build some solid performances and Dave [Rennie] talks a lot about [that] every day, so that's reflected in our training.

"That's the focus for us, we talk about that day by day, and that builds good outcomes and good results. It keeps you moving forward at a consistent rate.

"You have to talk about the end goal, which is holding up some silverware. We're clear on what we're trying to achieve and the pressure is on for us to want to be able to do that.

"We had the Bledisloe Cup [before the Tri-Nations] and it's unfortunate we weren't able to hold that up this year. This opportunity's arisen now and we're doing everything we can now to make it happen."

The Pumas are expected to head into the match full of confidence, after their historic 25-15 win over the All Blacks last weekend.

Pablo Matera.
Pablo Matera. Photo credit: Getty

Hooper feels the key to beating Argentina is shutting down playmaker Nicholas Sanchez and influential captain Pablo Matera.

"We're fully aware of what they're capable of, so you see, a result like that, it doesn't come as a surprise," he says. "It just confirms to us that this is what we're preparing for.

"They were great in so many areas of the game, showed so much heart and were disciplined. They've got some really good players coming through and they're going to be a threat tomorrow night.

"Matera's been a world-class back-row player for many years now, so it's not a surprise to myself

"He's a dangerous ball runner, he's good over the ball, so no surprises there. He's the leader of their group.

"I'm excited for the challenge."

Join us on November 28 for live updates of the All Blacks v Argentina Tri Nations clash