Having recently witnessed the tireless work of Wallabies teammate Michael Hooper, Melbourne’s Dane Haylett-Petty expects the Waratahs to be hit hard by the loss of their injured skipper when the teams meet in a crucial Super Rugby showdown on Friday night.

Melbourne host the Australian conference-leading Waratahs at AAMI Park with just one point separating the teams with three rounds remaining before finals.

The Wallabies captain injured his hamstring early in Australia’s Test loss to Ireland last Saturday, ruling him out of his team’s charge to the finals.

While the Rebels have their own injury concerns with Will Genia (arm) and skipper Adam Coleman (adductor) sidelined, they have played at times through the season without the star duo.

Hooper however has been a vital cog in the Waratahs’ success, only missing a miserly 53 minutes of play in his 93 games since joining them in 2013.

The injury brings to an end his run of 79 consecutive Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs.

“He’s hugely valuable and I think it’s going to be quite a big test for the Waratahs,” Haylett-Petty said.

“It’s been five or six years since he’s missed a game and he’s probably the main voice in that group so it will be interesting to see how they go without him.”

Haylett-Petty is set to return to fullback after playing wing for the Wallabies and showing some of his best form after an interrupted season due to injury.

“Obviously early on in the season it didn’t go the way I’d hoped but I’ve played five games now and I’m feeling good,” the 29-year-old said.

“I feel like I’m starting to have some form and am really enjoying being out there.”

While he felt good physically and mentally, he said he couldn’t take any consolation out of the tight defeat in the Irish series.

“If anything this one hurt more than most as it was so close so it’s hard to look back at all the little missed opportunities,” he said.

“But they’re the second team in the world so to be so close with so much room to grow I suppose is exciting.”