Michael Hooper

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will return home from Argentina, saying he is unable to fulfil his responsibilities in his current mindset.

Hooper first captained Australia in 2014 at the age of 22 and has done so regularly since Stephen Moore retired back in 2017. Rennie continued: “He addressed the team today, which took an enormous amount of courage, to let them know that he’s not okay. But clearly he’s been struggling a bit and masking that pretty well, but it came to a head last night,” Rennie explained.

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has applauded the courage and honesty shown by skipper Michael Hooper as he pulls out of the squad due to personal reasons.

“He’s such a professional, he was able to get on and do his job. “It took a lot of courage to address the group so a huge amount of respect from everyone and respect that we want to get him home and give him as much support as possible.” It’s a cross-section of society.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has withdrawn from their Rugby Championship clash with Argentina and will fly home due to personal reasons.

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Michael Hooper had been chosen in the group yet will presently leave for individual reasons, with prop James Slipper to lead the side.

“He’s shown genuine mental fortitude by recognizing where he is at and following up on it. I know this has been a tough choice for him.” Advertisement

Michael Hooper decided not to play against Argentina on Saturday, as the Australia captain is not in the right frame of mind.

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Here are your rugby morning headlines for Saturday, 6 August. Australia captain withdraws from Test for personal reasons. Australia captain Michael Hooper ...

The 25-year-old can also play in the back row and has spent three weeks with the Premiership side during pre-season training. It's about getting the fundamentals in place, both things we want to bring to our game and things that went wrong for us last year. They’re one of the biggest sides in Europe coming to Cardiff Arms Park. Speaking about his decision, Hooper said: “While this decision did not come easily I know it is the right one for me and the team at this point in time. “Block 2 is probably one of the most important blocks of pre-season in terms of setting those foundations and setting ourselves up for the season. Last season was a strange one for Dai Young's side, with an ill-fated trip to South Africa early in the season leaving many players stuck in quarantine.

Australia head coach Dave Rennie has come in support of Michael Hooper after the Wallabies captain pulled out of the Rugby Championship opener against ...

“He’s such a professional, he was able to get on and do his job. "(Rugby's) a cross-section of society. In Hooper's absence, James Slipper has been handed the captaincy while Fraser McReight comes at number seven.

Dave Rennie says captain Michael Hooper has shown "true courage" by withdrawing from Australia's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina.

Australia have been licking their wounds since suffering a 2-1 Test series defeat at home to England, and they have won only one of their past nine Tests played away from home – that victory being over Japan last October. The Springboks have won six of their past seven Tests on home soil, the last of which was a 30-14 defeat of Wales in Cape Town that sealed a 2-1 series victory. Argentina and Australia get the tournament under way at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on Saturday, with the Pumas on a high from securing a dramatic series win over Scotland.

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie hailed the courage and honesty shown by Michael Hooper as he pulls out of the squad due to personal reasons. It was confirmed on Friday that the experienced flanker has withdrawn from the side ahead of the clash with ...

“He’s such a professional, he was able to get on and do his job. “It took a lot of courage to address the group so a huge amount of respect from everyone and respect that we want to get him home and give him as much support as possible.” It’s a cross-section of society.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has been given the backing of the wider rugby community after withdrawing from international duty due to personal reasons.

"While this decision did not come easily I know it is the right one for me and the team at this point in time. "He’s shown true courage by acknowledging where he is at and acting on it. Hooper was over in Argentina with his team ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against the Pumas, but approached management to let them know he was not in the right head-space to lead the team.