Wallabies skipper Hooper signs ‘historic’ five-year deal

SYDNEY: Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has signed up to a “historic” five-year contract that will secure him through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Rugby Australia said Friday.

Hooper, a two-time John Eales medal- winner as Australian rugby’s best player, was due to be out of contract with Rugby Australia at the end of this year.

The massive deal with the New South Wales Waratahs f lanker is worth close to Aus$ 6 million ( US$ 4.4 million), according to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

“I never really thought about going elsewhere or entertaining anything like that. I was really keen to stay in Australia, and keep doing what I can for the Wallabies and the Waratahs,” Hooper said.

“It’s a long deal so I have to thank Cheik ( Wallabies coach Michael Cheika) and ( Rugby Australia chief) Raelene Castle as well as the Waratahs for having the belief in me in that I can continue to contribute.”

The 26-year- old is the second Australian player to sign up to a five-year deal after Lote Tuqiri in 2007, although the Fiji- born wing’s contract was cancelled two years later over an alleged code of conduct breach.

The deal ensures that Hooper will be available for Australia for the next two World Cups -- in Japan next year and in France in 2023.

“The length of the deal will be talked about but it’s fair reward for a player like Michael,” Castle said.

“He was upfront in signalling that he wanted to commit to Australian Rugby so we couldn’t be more pleased to have him remain until at least 2023.”

Australians based abroad are generally unable to represent their country, although the eligibility rules were relaxed in 2015 for senior players. — AFP