Giant offer for Hooper

RUGBY Australia has tabled an unprecedented five-year contract offer to Wallabies captain Michael Hooper in a bid to secure him through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

In a move that would see Hooper replace Israel Folau as the face of rugby following recent controversies, RA has broken with convention and offered the 26-year-old its longest-ever deal.

Hooper, a two-time John Eales medallist, could earn about $1 million a season in Australia.

A five-year deal would see Hooper locked up for next year’s RWC in Japan, and then through to the following RWC in France in 2023.