James Slipper will replace the injured Michael Hooper as Wallabies captain against Wales this weekend in Cardiff with the promotion of the veteran prop a popular choice among the players.
The Wallabies gave a “big roar” after it was announced Slipper would step in for Hooper, who suffered a mid-foot sprain against England to miss their final tour Test.
Hooper’s absence is a hammer blow for their hopes of salvaging some spring-tour pride as they look to avoid a first winless spring tour of Europe since 1976 after losses to Scotland and England.
While the champion flanker will remain with the team, Slipper will lead the team for just the second time with his only previous experience during his 113-Test career coming against the USA in 2015.
Playmaker James O’Connor said while the loss of Hooper would be keenly felt at Principality Stadium, the 32-year-old Slipper would bring a “steady presence”.
“It’s obviously devastating losing our captain Hoops but the boys are pretty excited and there was a big roar when we heard that Slips was captain,” O’Connor said from Cardiff on Tuesday.
“He’s been there and done that and everyone can rely on him – he’s a very steady presence on the field.”
Like O’Connor, Slipper has his own redemption story, bouncing back from a recreational drugs ban in 2018 to become Mr Dependable.
Against England he was a rock for the scrum after switching from his usual loosehead to cover at tighthead due to an injury crisis with Taniela Tupou and Allan Alaalatoa both out after head knocks.
“That’s just credit to the hard work he puts in and just how much he loves the game – he leaves it all out there,” O’Connor said of Slipper.
“He hadn’t played tighthead prop since 2012 so we asked a lot of him and he delivered big time.
“He’s been on his own journey but he’s someone you get around – he’s very authentic, a great bloke and we’re excited for him to lead us out for our last game this year.”
Teammate Rob Valetini also acknowledged it would be tough going against Wales without their talismanic leader.
“Obviously ‘Hoops’ is a massive loss,” Valetini said.
“Obviously he’s our captain but he’s probably the biggest workhorse in our team. He never stops, and that’s something that the team will miss.”
With the team named Thursday, Pete Samu is set to replace Hooper or former Melbourne Rebels flanker Colby Fainga’a could be a shock selection to make his Test debut after being drafted into the squad from French club Lyon.
Fainga’a’s older twin brothers Anthony and Saia both played for the Wallabies.
Valetini said the Wallabies were intent on finishing the year on a high and recognised they needed to improve their discipline and errors to overcome the Welsh, after giving away 18 penalties against England.
He called their multiple offside and high-tackle penalties “pretty dumb”.
“We let ourselves down with our discipline – it’s hard to win a Test match when you give away 18 penalties,” Valetini said.
“It’s a new week this week and we want to end the tour on a high so we will prepare well and hopefully go out with a bang on Saturday.”
Leroy14
Roar Rookie
Yeah you’re right. He’s in Japan.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
I thought he was in Japan, but might've gone back to France.
GC Red
Roar Rookie
We will never know what Gill could have been for the Wallabies. When he was playing in Aus he deserved a shot. No sleight on Hooper who is immense, but it’s still potential lost…
Wigeye
Guest
double agent pull your head in. because no kiwi coach in their right mind would make those selections. Its the admin and logistics sticking their beaks in when you allready have the biggest squad. Loose in the rebuild dont loose with the bus passengers. Double agent
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Slipper captain - good luck to him! Hopefully a win on the weekend!
JC
Roar Rookie
Colby Fainga’a will need to be on the bench.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Bobby..daugunu has not played in a long time..i think DR will choose him on the bench at best...DR will stick with beale but hopefully on the bench or out of the team..
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Still...just let DR experiment..anything now that we haven't seen yet...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Yeah hika...i mentioned it already the number of line breaks and tries have dried up since the JOC and paisami combo started...to think just from a single move from perese in the backline..we got go forward and scored...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Still...you forgot Colby faingaa..i am not sure about pistol pete starting as we lose his impact of the pine but then again I am not sure if pistol was effective against Scottish warriors or the red roses...i didn't have a close look at him...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
"If Kurtley is in the 22, I will cancel my Stan subscription. As soon as Hightown is over."... Hehehe
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Olly... in that case we will lose the impact off the bench from pistol pete
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Means Latu might get a gig for his over the ball work. Colby Fa'inga is not a terrible 7 either.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Except they haven't, Fa'inga got the nod. I love Liam Gill, a real loss to Australian rugby and I victim of Cheika's obsession with Hooper (having said that I have become a Hooper convert this year, he has been fantastic - I suspect that is due to Rennie using a different shape).
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Are you hinting that Stan Sport has a hand in the selections Handles? :-P
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Colby Fainga’a is there. But will likely be Samu.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Absofu#@*&g lootly Hika.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha, touche
Morsie
Roar Rookie
So does Daugunu, really silly stuff.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Larko, I think it's about time Fillipo D got a shot. Tom Wrigjt does some good things but also guilty of some silly or dumb stuff.