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(L-R) Elise Kellond-Knight,Alicia Lucas,Shane Heal and Michael Hooper at Stan’s Olympic launch at the Sydney Opera House.Credit:Janie Barrett

Australia head to Fiji for games in mid-June before a hot-weather camp in Darwin. A final squad of 12 players and two reserves has to be lodged with the Australian Olympic Committee by June 30.

Hooper is one of Australian rugby’s most decorated players and is philosophical about whether he gets the opportunity to win an Olympic medal.

“I never thought I’d go to an Olympics. It was never a goal I had in mind,” Hooper said. “The World Cup was[a goal]. If I get there,and it happens,so be it,great. If it doesn’t,I’m proud of myself that I gave a tough game a crack.

“It’d be great if I could be 22 and super resilient and faster.

Michael Hooper takes a selfie with fans at the Hong Kong Sevens in April.Credit:AP

“It’s a hard game. My respect for what you have to do to be a good sevens player has completely changed.”

If Hooper doesn’t head to Paris,Stan Sport will use the Wallabies centurion in their Olympics coverage.

Stan has unveiled its all-star commentary roster for the Olympics,starting on July 27,which features Ash Barty,Wally Masur,Grant Hackett,Steph Rice,John Steffensen,Nova Peris,Mark Bosnich,Craig Foster,Elise Kellond-Knight,Shane Heal,Nick Green,Stuart O’Grady,Jamie Dwyer,Morgan Turinui and Alicia Lucas.

Water polo star Tilly Kearns,former rugby player Alicia Lucas,and Australia’s fastest man,Rohan Browning,at Stan’s Olympic launch.Credit:Janie Barrett

All 329 events will be shown live and ad-free,with daily recaps and news channels for Stan Sport subscribers.

Hooper began his media career with Stan Sport last year during the Rugby World Cup and said he has warmed to being on the other side of the fence.

“I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought I would,” Hooper said. “You death-ride teams when you’re playing against them every week.

“When you kind of step back and are a step removed,you can become more of a fan of the game. The World Cup was tough because I was very close to it.

“In Super Rugby,it’s been great seeing Aussie teams[do well]. But last year if another Australian team won,you’d be filthy because you’re a Waratah and you want them[other teams] to lose.”

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