Michael Hooper will remain as Wallabies captain for 2020

Sorry folks, I've got to disagree, Hooper doesn't have what it takes to inspire the troops to the level that will take them back to worlds best. Who do we replace him with, I don't know, the performance the other night was lacking in so many ways, the All Blacks weren't magical, but the Wallabies under their Captain were lackluster and ordinary. Sad but true we cant blame the coach anymore, its the blokes on the field that got thrashed.

They performed terribly under Cheika. I don't hold Hooper responsible for any of that.

Hooper is the best option at the moment. Rennie has until the next RWC to find a Captain and to pick a team that is capable of winning. This is the beginning of a new era in Wallaby rugby. There is plenty of talent to be identified and molded into a very good side. There will no doubt be a number of defeats along the way . However the main objective is winning the RWC. I am interested to see how things pan out. Hooper was Cheika's Captain. Hopefully over the next 12 months Rennie will have chosen his Captain. Rennie is treating Hooper with respect. He deserves it ! Despite what his detractors say Hooper has been a warrior for the Wallabies. He is brave, tough and resilient.

I am interested to see your view PeterK, as I have found it is invariably substantiated, often I agree and when I do not I have seen, for over a decade now, you are open to discussion. I do not like Hooper as captain, I understand your “last man standing” rationale. The game I have served as a faithful disciple for my long life is so far off its trolley that I find it near impossible to be enthused and that is common in a couple of family generations and among my Eastwood mates. I have retreated to Club rugby and have been there for a couple of years now, disinterested in representative level – Lord, we used argue for hours on important vital issues such as Martin, Campese, Roebuck or Mick Ellem at full back! I remain uncertain about Rennie primarily because Australia is not New Zealand and I have not seen any change in the political structures that have dominated here for decades. Those political structures have seen off some good and able men, including Robbie Deans, and they will do it again. I wish me better days in rugby! :stoked:

Agreed james

Just shows how ordinary we are. All great teams have great leaders. Eales, Waugh, Cam Smith, Voss etc. When teams aren’t great they are led by strong leaders who are willing to tough it out for and with the team. Border, Lewis, Shaw etc. Hooper falls in neither of these 2 categories

Hooper has had his best season in years this year. Mcreight is chomping at his heels though. Safe decision I guess in the end

Great player, not a great captain, but understandable in the circumstances.

dont think anyone else wanted the job

I agree he is a very poor decision maker

Well personally disappointed with this because I think he’s a poor captain and because it harks back to the previous inept group. Still time now to get behind the team and support them against the Boks and Argies. As a proud ANZAC, sorry but while I want the Wallabies to be competitive against the ABs and won’t be too unhappy if they win occasionally, I still want the ABs to win against whoever they play whenever they play. Won’t happen I know but there it is.

Correct

This is one that gets trodden out repeatedly on The Roar and I’ve never been able to get to the bottom of it. From my understanding there is literally no evidence that Hooper was particularly involved in that whole saga, is that correct? Just seems to be one of those things that is used to bag Hooper by the usual suspects, but I might be wrong? Any insight here?

Exactly. Captains are picked based on loads of things, and I doubt winning record rates very highly. They can't control the overall tactics, the Coach does that, other people make selections and they can't stop their team-mates from dropping off balls or tackles and not backing up (and Hooper always led by example in terms of his handling, and defence, and is one of our few forwards who actually runs in support of half breaks). There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we don;t get to see. Some of the criticisms of him are totally valid, but this 'he's a loser' refrain is garbage

Right, that makes sense then, cheers

:crying:

Exactly Tools- ever since Hooper has been an automatic pick we have plummeted down the world rankings. He is a loser. Looks like Rennie takes orders from the NSW mafia. Disappointing as i thought he`d be his own man.

I'm not trying to suggest Wright is a good (or bad) captain. It is just silly to suggest he (or anyone) is bad based on the evidence of one call.

Rennie and McKenzie both chose Hooper as captain. There is nothing to suggest that Hooper knifed McKenzie. More likely other players who had an axe to grind (Beale and AAC come to mind).

Two coaches were Stupid ( your words) yes. Rennie has not coached him yet and Ewen was knifed by him.