The worst-kept secret in Australian rugby has been confirmed, with Michael Hooper being officially unveiled as the new captain of the Wallabies.
The 25-year-old Hooper had been widely tipped to take the mantle after previous skipper Stephen Moore stepped down from the captaincy last week as the experienced hooker moves towards his international retirement at the end of the year.
“It’s a huge honour to just wear the Wallabies jersey, let alone captain the side,” Hooper said.
“I’m extremely grateful to Cheik (Michael Cheika) but also to Steve (Moore) for all that he’s done for me and the team.
“It’s what you do in the jersey that’s most important and I get another crack at showing what it means to me against New Zealand in Sydney in a fortnight.”
The flanker is no stranger to the captaincy, having led the Waratahs out during their ill-fated 2017 Super Rugby season and skippering the Wallabies during the first two June Tests of the year with Moore starting on the sidelines.
Hooper also captained the Wallabies on 13 occasions in 2014 when Moore was out injured, making him the youngest Australian skipper since Ken Catchpole in 1961. Despite his experience in leading the side out, Hooper said he would be leaning on the other leaders in the team to help drive the Wallabies forward.
“There are quite a few good young leaders in this team like Bernard (Foley), Adam (Coleman), Samu (Kerevi) and Allan (Alaalatoa), so we’ll be working together to take this team to a new level,” Hooper said.
“I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months. It is a very special opportunity for all of us, and we’ll be doing all we can to show that pride in the jersey.”
There have been some question-marks over Hooper’s suitability for the job, with critics claiming the Waratahs’ poor season and the upcoming return of David Pocock – considered by some to be a better option in the number seven jersey than Hooper – to Australian rugby in 2018 should have seen someone else handed the role.
However, coach Michael Cheika is adamant the decision to appoint Hooper as the side’s captain is the right one.
“Michael always shows on the field how much he loves the gold jersey and that’s why he is totally respected among the rugby players in Australia,” Cheika said.
“His role as the leader of this team will also be about making the standards of the Australian rugby team the highest they can possibly be.
“Michael loves Australia and his record as a player speaks for itself but he’s exactly the type of man we want to see in rugby – connected to his school, a great club man at the grassroots, a passionate Super Rugby player and a proud Wallaby.”
Hooper already has 68 Wallabies caps to his name despite his debut coming as recently as 2012, and has since become one of four players to win multiple John Eales Medals. He has also been awarded with the Matthew Burke Medal in each of the past four seasons.
The new skipper’s first challenge as full-time captain will come on August 19, when the Wallabies will meet the All Blacks in Sydney to get their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup campaigns underway.
G Slacker
Guest
You mean the year the Waratahs made the semi finals BUDDY? HAHAHA.
bear54
Once again plenty of complaints about Hooper but no viable alternative offered in his place but I'll answer the question. Hooper won a Super Rugby championship as captain, plays 80 minutes and is one of our few world class players.
marto
Guest
Last decade.That`s a tough one Tatah, TAHS one title REDS one title You have no point Tatah ole chap, so Tatah ole chap.
marto
Guest
CRUSADERS 96 (M Vunibaka 2 G Feek J Marshall C Ralph 4 S Robertson 2 A Mauger L MacDonald 2 D Gibson tries; A Mehrtens 13 cons) beat WARATAHS 19 (F Cullimore M Stcherbina D Tuiavii tries; M Burke 2 cons) at Jade Stadium, Christchurch. How good was that Rugby Tragic !!
marto
Guest
rugby tragic cannot think for oneself, so agrees with Bill on everything..
G Slacker
Guest
He PERCEIVED that Hooper slighted McKenzie. Despite there being no evidence of this. So with all the emotional security and logic of a toddler, he rails against him. What a great example of how to conduct yourself. THE IRONY HAHAHAHA
G Slacker
Guest
Haha. Nice. This doofus comments at least 20 times on literally every single story on the Roar (must be unemployed?), so you can't expect him to have time to read all the comments. He's only got time to make passive aggressive comments and posture like a know it all clown.
LikesRugby
Guest
If you are talking about how the Wallabies played on EOYT 2013 under Link... that was a joy to watch... haven't seen anything remotely close to that since...
Rebellion
Guest
You're spot on. The Waratah players from the 'Dublin Six' incident on the 2013 EOYT were the ones who finished Link's career. Hooper was stupid and classless enough to give himself away to the media
redbull
Guest
You're right. Must have read something wrong. Checked on it. Was only a 5-year clause.
EnoughisEnough
Guest
So then Bear, is it alright to say his record as a Captain, for both the Tahs and the Wallabies is poor, and that he has made numerous mistakes, again and again, as a Captain, and doesn't seem to be learning. That he has been involved in immature off field incidents, and that his actions in the Beale/Patson/McKenzie saga were without honour and dignity. That he hasn't learned from his mistakes from back then either (he was very recently quoted as saying he wouldn't change a thing from back then). That he is a polarising figure (not his fault maybe, but it is what it is) at a time when unity is desperately needed. That he doesn't seem capable of getting his team to listen to him (his own words), and that his style of play unbalances the team/pack. That he doesn't have the gravitas for the role, (for goodness sake, he can't even get a haircut that doesn't require him to be forever brushing it out of his eyes, so he can see what he is doing.., and who shows up for a media interview on a skateboard?). I'd say there are a fair few good reasons why Hooper shouldn't be Captain. Perhaps you'd like to make the case as to why he should be Captain, instead of just attacking those that don't think your boy is a very good choice.
Boomeranga
Guest
No one above has mentioned Coleman, Fionn, so no, not me that hasn't read.
EnoughisEnough
Guest
Yeah lots of kids have toys, but most of them grow out of them....Hooper's actions and words show time and again he doesn't have the maturity to be Captain of the Wallabies.
bear54
You make a fair point Sheek. I apologise to those who engage in intelligent debates on this site. I was referring to those who criticise Hooper just because he plays for the Tahs, those who will offer excuses for the opposition when Hooper plays well and those who will suggest he shouldn't be captain without offering any alternative. These contributors cannot see past their unreasonable hatred for a man who does his very best every time he's on the field. They don't want to debate his appointment they just want to sneer and mock a wonderful achievement.
Andy
Guest
Except the crushers?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Gosh GeeCee, how did you get on this thread? Didn't you notice that it's mainly populated by people wanting to whine, put down the Wallabies, and make unfounded claims. You are probably right - there is a big problem with lack of support from so-called fans who are not willing to battle through the hard times, but want an armchair ride all the time and prefer to sit back and criticize. I'm just pleased that the players have not deserted the ship the way these people have. And I expect there'll be someone who tells me that they have.
soapit
Guest
tman i wonder if theyd known how barret would play would they have still done it. him being first choice not too long after kinda shows how they were seeing the silver lining in making that tough call i reckon.
Rebellion
Guest
That is such absolute BS Jameswm. That's like me declaring Jesus Christ rated Chiko Rolls as his snack of choice No more garbage for 'Christ's sake'
Rebellion
Guest
It's a vote by the players and coach - who are all mostly Tahs !!!
Tatah
Guest
As opposed to the outstanding success story that has been Qld rugby over the past decade...