Rugby's Wallabies to pay tribute to cricketer Phillip Hughes

On the eve that Australian Super Rugby team The Wallabies get set to play England, team captain Michael Hooper has expressed his sadness over the loss of cricketer Phillip Hughes.

“It’s news you never want to wake up to,” said Hooper, who happened to have socialised with Hughes just a few months ago when the Australian rugby union and cricket teams got together for a cross-sports promotion in Brisbane.

At that event, Hughes even pulled on a Wallabies jersey to show his passion for his fellow sportsmen, and got along famously with Wallabies including Matt Toomua, Nic White and Israel Folau.

The Wallabies would have woken this morning to news of the death of Hughes, since they are hours behind, in England, preparing for tomorrow’s big match against the English.

In the United Kingdom, Hughes’ former English cricket clubs also sent well wishes to his family and friends.

The Wallabies themselves are yet to decide on an appropriate way to pay respect to Hughes before their match tomorrow, suffice to say there will be some form of tribute before play-off, while they will likely wear black armbands throughout the game.  Antonino Tati

The Qantas Wallabies who’ll play England for the Cook Cup tomorrow:
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds- 62 Tests)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds – 35 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs – 51 Tests)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies – 10 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds – 49 Tests)
6. Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels – 2 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c – NSW Waratahs – 41 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force – 37 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs – 27 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs – 17 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs – 24 Tests)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies – 20 Tests)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs – 103 Tests)
14. Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies – 1 Test)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs – 28 Tests)

Note: Reserves to be confirmed.