‘Proud’ Michael Hooper takes over from Stephen Moore as skipper of wobbly Wallabies
The 25-year-old faces a baptism of fire for Australia against New Zealand in the upcoming Rugby Championship
Flanker Michael Hooper has replaced Stephen Moore as captain of the Wallabies after the veteran hooker’s decision to quit international rugby at the end of the season.
Hooper will lead Michael Cheika’s Australia into back-to-back tests against the world champion All Blacks when the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship kicks off later this month.
The abrasive back-rower has long been groomed to step up to the role, having led the side throughout the 2014 season when Moore was injured.
Then, as a raw 22-year-old, he became the youngest player after Ken Catchpole to captain the Wallabies and guided the team to a whitewash victory over France in his first series in charge.
Now 25, Hooper has 68 tests to his credit and played a key role in Australia’s run to the 2015 World Cup final when he and David Pocock teamed up in a powerful back-row combination.
“It’s a huge honour to just wear the Wallabies jersey, let alone captain the side,” Hooper said.
