Moore given the captaincy for World Cup

Sydney – Hooker Stephen Moore (right) will lead Australia to this year’s World Cup after being named Wallabies captain for the season by coach Michael Cheika yesterday.

Moore, 32, was also named captain last year by then-coach Ewen McKenzie, only to be ruled out for the rest of the season by a knee injury in the first few seconds of his first Test in charge against France.

Flanker Michael Hooper, who took over for the remainder of last season, was named vice-captain for 2015 along with experienced centre Adam Ashley-Cooper.

“Having spoken to the two vice-captains prior to Stephen, both of them couldn’t have made a higher endorsement of Stephen to lead them personally, this playing group and our country,” Cheika said.

“Leadership is going to be a massive part of this journey, and both Adam and Michael will have a big part to play in supporting Stephen.

“Stephen is not only a player who leads by example on the field, but he is a man who exemplifies the qualities of a Wallabies captain and it is a testament to his character that he has been able to overcome a setback and put himself in a position to lead his country again.”

Moore, who also captains the Brumbies in Super Rugby, has played 92 Tests for his country since his debut against Samoa in 2005 and the September 18-October 31 World Cup in England later this year will be his third.

Born in Saudi Arabia, where his Irish parents were working at the time, Moore grew up in Queensland where he represented the Reds before moving south to Canberra.

A strong scrummager and accurate thrower of the ball at lin- eouts, he is a key member of Australia’s often criticised front row.

The late withdrawals of Moore and flanker David Pocock from the side to face Ireland at the last World Cup in New Zealand were seen by many as a major contributory factor to Australia’s defeat and ultimate demise in the competition.

Victory over the Irish would have meant progression to the weaker side of the draw and although the Australians fortuitously beat defending champions South Africa in the quarterfinals, they were well beaten by the All Blacks in the semis. –