Hooper still wants to lead Wallabies

– Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper (right) yesterday said he was keen to stay on as captain under new coach Dave Rennie, but had yet to discuss the matter.

Rennie arrived in Australia this week following a break in his New Zealand homeland after seeing out his obligations to the Glasgow Warriors.

He takes the reins of the twotime World Cup-winners as they lie just seventh in the rankings and after a host of experienced players called it quits following last year’s World Cup.

Hooper, whose next Test will be his 100th, relinquished the NSW Waratahs’ captaincy to Rob Simmons earlier this year to focus on his own personal game, but said he remained open to leading Australia.

“I haven’t spoken to Dave about it because it’s something that I think will develop down the track,” he told Fox Sports.

“As far as I’m concerned, if I’m not (captain), my biggest concern is how I can help the team as best as possible – that’s my mindset.”

Pressed on whether he wanted to be the captain, the 28-year-old flanker said yes.

“Look, I’m very proud to have been captain of the country and I would still be very proud to continue doing that, and I would be very pleased to take on that role if it was bestowed upon me.”

Last month, Rennie said he had spoken to Hooper at length, but only about what he termed “earning the right to play”.

But he added: “He’s (Hooper) a strong contender for the captaincy, but we haven’t firmed up any decision around that.

There’s a lot of good leaders amongst the current group of players.”

Hooper had his first taste of the Australian captaincy as a 22-year-old in 2014 when he stood in for the injured Stephen Moore during a series of Tests that year.

He officially took over from Moore in 2017 and has led the team 46 times. – AFP