Australia openside Michael Hooper says the British and Irish Lions will miss the presence of Paul O’Connell during the remainder of the tour.
O’Connell has been ruled out of the second and third Tests in Melbourne and Sydney after fracturing his arm in the 23-21 victory over the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.
Having stood toe-to-toe with the 2009 Lions captain and Ireland second row, Cooper knows the influence he has in the Lions camp.
“Paul’s an intimidating figure when you see him standing across from you in a lineout,” he said. “He attracts a lot of attention. He’ll be a big loss to their camp and it’s a shame.
“He finished the game with a broken arm so you can see how much he wants to be there.
“There will be someone who steps in who is just as good. Maybe they won’t bring the same emotional or spiritual thing that he’d bring but skill-wise it will be the same.”
While O’Connell will miss out, Australia are celebrating the availability of captain James Horwill.
Horwill was controversially cleared of stamping on Alun-Wyn Jones at the Suncorp Stadium by a disciplinary hearing on Sunday evening.
“It was great to keep our skipper. He’s a massive motivational part of our team,” Hooper said. “We get a lot of drive from him in the words he says and his presence on the field.”
Hooper spent much of the second half of Saturday’s first half playing at centre due to a succession of injuries which decimated Australia’s midfield.
And he admitted: “It was really enjoyable at centre. I’d love another crack at it.”