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He might have foregone the captaincy during the second half of 2022, but the Wallabies’ most-capped captain, Michael Hooper, says he’s open to returning to the role for this year’s World Cup campaign.
His comments come as the Waratahs prepare for their highly-anticipated return to Allianz Stadium, where the “Chicago Bulls” of rugby return to their spiritual home after four-year hiatus to take on arch-rivals the ACT Brumbies on Friday night.
Hooper, 31, shocked the world last August when he withdrew from the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship campaign on the eve of their opening match against Argentina in Mendoza.
Michael Hooper could be about to start his final year in Super Rugby. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
The Wallabies veteran missed the next six Tests before returning to the squad for their end-of-season spring tour, where he started in their opening match against Scotland at Murrayfield.
During his absence Brumbies veteran James Slipper led the side while Allan Alaalatoa also captained the team for one Test in Italy.
But with a new coach, one who immediately changed the captaincy when he arrived at the Rugby Football Union by recalling and giving the captaincy to Dylan Hartley in 2016, the subject of who leads the Wallabies through to the World Cup is far from clear.
Slipper and Alaalatoa are strong candidates, while Nic White and Tate McDermott are outside chances, but Hooper’s experience and the fact that 2023 shapes as his last year in the gold jersey could see Jones ask the world-class openside flanker to lead the Wallabies through to the World Cup.
Never one to publicly crave the role, Hooper left the captaincy door ajar.
“Look, I’m open to whatever’s best for the team,” Hooper told reporters on Monday.
“My first and foremost commitment is to play really good rugby and play the best rugby I can for the Tahs and how that then develops later into the year we’ll see. There’s so much that can happen in six months, which is what the timeframe or maybe even less to the Test matches over there.”
Newly appointed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is keeping his cards close to his chest with the captaincy. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
How Jones sees the No.7 pecking order remains far from clear.
Since arriving back home, Jones has been reluctant to single out any individuals, instead keeping his cards close to his chest as he examines what he has to work with.
Four Wallabies coaches have selected Hooper in the No.7 jersey, with three of them giving him the captaincy.
But when Jones arrived in England, he immediately shifted then openside flanker Chris Robshaw to the blindside role and initially selected James Haskell, before settling on Tom Curry and Sam Underhill predominantly as his flankers.
Jones has depth to choose from, with Reds flanker Fraser McReight and Pete Samu getting extra minutes during the time Hooper had away from the Wallabies set-up. The emergence and eligibility of Charlie Gamble as well as the return to fitness of Brad Wilkin and Liam Wright means there is no shortage of talent in the area.
While Hooper played down his interactions with Jones, it’s believed the Wallabies star has spoken to his new boss on a couple of occasions.
“Yeah, very little,” Hooper said when asked about his interactions with Jones.
“But from the conversations I have had, (he’s) very impressive. I mean, what a career he’s had and to come back home for him is very exciting. So (it’s) huge amount to learn off someone with that amount of experience.”
Michael Hooper says he’s feeling fresh ahead of the Waratahs’ Super Rugby season opener against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on Friday. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Whichever direction Jones turns, the Australian rugby community will be thrilled to hear that Hooper is excited for the year ahead.
“Physically and mentally, I feel great,” he said.
“I think when you get closer to the end and you start to realise that it’s about the end, the body of my career, you move on to next week and next game, this or that season and very little time to reflect. There’s still a little time but you start to realise there’s less and less cracks at it.
“Physically, the guys have done a great job with everyone but I feel personally in good shape. Mentally I’m extremely motivated this season coming up and give it my all.”
Asked whether the World Cup is the end goal, Hooper said there were plenty of “juicy” things before the World Cup in France kicked off.
“Absolutely (but) there’s a carrot in everything we do,” he said.
“There’s the carrot of playing at the stadium this weekend, being in this new building which is fantastic, finals, trying to be a better player individually and being the best I can do is a carrot, and then the World Cup, being a part of a team that can do something there, it’s all juicy stuff.
“There’s a lot to look forward to.”
Michael Hooper says the banter between the Waratahs and Brumbies has already begun ahead of their Super Rugby opener on Friday night. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
While Hooper battled to set up his own swag during last week’s sleepout at the Allianz Stadium, he doesn’t believe he’ll have any trouble getting up to speed with the pace of Friday’s Super Rugby opener despite coming into the match without any minutes in preseason.
“I’ve got some games under the belt, so that helps,” he said. “I’ve got a good amount of experience to count on.
“When I had that time off last year it was a very similar amount of time to when I played in the Scotland Test, so it was about three and a half months or just under that. It’s been about the same time since I played against Ireland now rolling into this one.
“To roll out 80 minutes that I’d be I’d be happy with and I can really contribute to the team (is the plan). I know I’m going to be blowing this game. It’s going to be hard, there’s going to be times when I’ve got the hands on the hips and head back and sucking in seagulls like everyone. I’ll have to dig deep at times, but it’s those times that are fun with these matchups.”
But with plenty at stake, including a win over his old team and bragging rights over his Wallabies teammates, Hooper says there would be no issue getting up for the Test-like match.
“The banter has already started. I’ve already had a couple of texts between myself and the Brumbies guys,” Hooper said.
“I said ‘Go the Tahs’ and the message I got back from Nic White was a photo of me in a Brumbies jersey.
“I had nothing and just went back with the clap hands (emoji).
“These games are like Test matches between the two teams. It’s a big match-up and the games we all want to play.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.