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George Smith of the Brumbies - Source: Reuters
Teenager Michael Hooper has been handed a huge challenge, replacing Wallaby great George Smith in his Super 14 debut for the Brumbies.
In his first year out of school, Hooper, 18, was named on Monday to start at openside flanker against the Chiefs at Canberra Stadium on Friday night after Smith was ruled out by a shoulder injury.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend announced that Hooper had also been signed for two years from the Brumbies Academy.
Smith, who is set to leave the Brumbies at the end of this season, suffered a shoulder knock in last Friday's loss to the Blues in Auckland.
"While it's extremely disappointing to lose George to a shoulder injury, I had no hesitation in throwing Michael into the starting line-up," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said.
"I have every confidence that he will handle himself more than capably and will give spectators a good show of what they can expect from him in the future.
"There's a lot to like about Michael Hooper. He's very much a just-get-on-with-it type player and for someone in his first year out of school, he thrives in the physical nature of this level of rugby."
Shoulder surgery last year robbed Hooper of an opportunity to play for the Australian Schoolboys but Friend said the young flanker had unlimited potential and a great attitude.
