Hooper man for the job
MICHAEL Hooper has retained the Wallabies captaincy in what new coach Dave Rennie described as “a straightforward decision”.
Rennie had failed to guarantee Hooper the captaincy when he took over from Michael Cheika last November, and kept fans guessing until Wednesday, when the Wallabies made the official announcement from their Hunter Valley camp.
However, many expected Hooper to keep the job, given how few guaranteed starters there are in the young squad, and his natural leadership talent.
While Hooper has signed a deal to play in the Japan Top League next year, he will only miss the Super Rugby season and still be available for all Wallabies games.
Hooper will play his 100th Test if named against the All Blacks in the first Bledisloe Cup match on October 11 in Wellington, and the 28-yearold has captained Australia 46 times, only behind George Gregan (59) and John Eales (55).
“It’s an absolute honour to be the Wallabies captain and I want to thank Dave, the Wallabies management team as well as Rugby Australia for their support and endorsement,” Hooper said.
“It’s a privilege to wear the Wallabies jersey, I feel proud to lead my teammates and to represent those players that have gone before and all Australians.
“I’m really excited about this group and the direction we are heading.
“We have already spent some quality time together, defining who we are and what we stand for and what we plan to achieve in the coming months.”
Rennie said Hooper had impressed him.
“We’ve spoken a lot over the past nine months and it’s highlighted his passion and commitment,” Rennie said.
“He’s a good man with an outstanding work ethic and he’s a great role model for our young men coming through.
“He’s keen to lead, and is highly respected by the Wallaby family.
“In the end his appointment was a straightforward decision.”
The Wallabies depart for New Zealand on Friday before two weeks quarantine in Christchurch
They face the All Blacks in two Tests on October 11 in Wellington and Eden Park in Auckland on October 18.
The Wallabies will then return to Australia for a historic Rugby Championship campaign on home soil, starting on November 7.