Waratahs skipper and openside flanker Michael Hooper has been unveiled as the new Wallabies captain.
The 25-year-old will take over from Stephen Moore, who announced his retirement last week, with the long-time deputy stepping into the role.
#BREAKING l Michael Hooper named as your new #Wallabies skipper. Congrats Hoops! 👏 pic.twitter.com/f5FmevIkMm
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 2, 2017
Hooper has already captained the side in 15 of his 68 Wallabies Tests, filling in for an injured Moore in 2014 and stepping up in two matches of the recent June Test Series, with Moore on the bench.
“It’s a huge honour to just wear the Wallabies jersey, let alone captain the side,” said Hooper.
“I’m extremely grateful to Cheik (Wallabies coach Michael Cheika) but also to Steve for all that he’s done for me and the team.
READ MORE:
-
Which country has the most registered players?
-
France international catches MASSIVE fish
-
The 10 coolest rugby players in the world
-
Saracens give fitness update on Billy Vunipola
“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.
“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.
“I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months.
#BREAKING l Michael Hooper named as your new #Wallabies skipper. Congrats Hoops! 👏 pic.twitter.com/f5FmevIkMm
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 2, 2017
“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.”
The flanker has been a vice-captain of the side since 2014 and had long been earmarked to take over from Moore, heading into the 2019 Rugby World Cup.