ACT Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher has challenged Michael Hooper to be a physical force at the breakdown and disrupt the Waikato Chiefs' potent back line tonight.
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While rugby league convert Joseph Tomane has been given the task of shutting down superstar Sonny Bill Williams, Fisher says it's Hooper who has the power to change the match.
The second youngest member of the Brumbies' squad will launch his bid to be the team's permanent openside flanker when he earns his first starting cap of the season at Baypark Stadium.
Hooper has been forced to bide his time on the bench in the opening two games, with Jake White opting to give powerful Tongan Ita Vaea the No.7 jersey.
Hooper was told he needed to be more physical.
Instead of waiting for the right time to enter a ruck, Fisher wants Hooper to dive into everything and cause as much trouble as he can.
And with a new physical approach and relentless attitude, Hooper has vowed to be a pest in the ruck and ensure the Chiefs' stellar back line is starved of attacking opportunities.
''They [the coaches] wanted me to work on my physicality at the breakdown, but I think Jake is happy with how I'm going and I've just got to keep improving,'' Hooper said.
''It was just timing as well, when to do things and when not to do them.
''It was a matter of talking it through and getting the understanding right of when to be physical.
''The Chiefs' back line plays off strong forward work, so if we can shut that down and give them less clean ball then we can shut down one of their strengths.''
The Brumbies have reshuffled their forward pack to tackle the high-flying Chiefs.
White has added muscle with Leon Power returning from a hamstring injury and two-Test Wallaby Peter Kimlin joining him at lock.
Scott Fardy has moved to blindside flanker with Vaea and Sam Carter on the bench.
Fisher has been trying to add a mongrel edge to the Brumbies' forward pack since returning to Canberra as White's assistant.
Traditionally a No.8, Vaea has been solid in the team's first two games as the Brumbies' breakdown specialist.
While he is not a regular ball-fetcher, his 108kg frame and fearless attitude make him a destructive force.
Hooper is just 97kg, but his superior fitness and increased involvement convinced Fisher he was ready to be thrown into the starting side.
''I just think we need pace on the paddock early and I like chucking guys in there who are going to go hard early on,'' Fisher said.
''You've always got to compete at the breakdown, but especially against the Chiefs.
''They carry through Sonny Bill Williams, [Aaron] Cruden will carry and so will Richard Kahui.
''It means you need to be quick to that first breakdown to disrupt and see where that takes us.''