Captain Michael Hooper has pulled out of the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship test against Argentina 24 hours before kick-off, saying he does not have the “right mindset” to lead or represent the country.
The tireless full-back had been named to lead the side in his 122nd Test on Sunday morning (AEST) but will now return to Australia, missing both games against the Pumas. Test centurion James Slipper will captain the team in Mendoza, while Fraser McReight will replace Hooper in the number seven jersey.
“While this decision was not easy, I know it is the right one for me and the team at this time,” Hooper said in a statement. “My whole career I’ve tried to put the team first and I don’t think I can fulfill my responsibilities at this point in my current mindset.”
Hooper addressed his team-mates ahead of the announcement, telling the squad he had every confidence they could win the Tests against Argentina without him.
Manager Dave Rennie said his 30-year-old captain had shown “real guts”.
“Michael is one of the most professional and impressive men I have ever coached, I know this has been a difficult decision for him,” he said. “He’s shown real bravery in recognizing where he’s at and acting on it. We’ll support him in any way we can and I know the team will be focused on getting the job done tomorrow.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said there were no signs during the week of Hooper’s distress. “Nothing was obvious to us in how he trained, how he contributed to the team, the leadership was excellent, but obviously he’s been struggling a bit and he’s hidden it quite well,” Rennie told the journalists from Argentina on Saturday (AEST).
“Obviously he’s been able to suppress things over the last few weeks and so we certainly weren’t aware of anything, but he’s a great professional and he was able to go on and get the job done.
“He addressed the team today and it took a lot of courage to let them know he’s not well and that he felt it was best for him and the team coming home. “It was an easy decision to let him go home where he will have a lot of support around him.”
Hooper contacted Wallabies team doctor Sharron Flahive, who set the wheels in motion for him to return home. He will travel back to Sydney with Waratahs teammate Dave Porecki, who is unavailable for the two Tests due to a head injury in training.
Hooper captained Australia during their recent 2-1 defeat against England at home and has been a regular presence in the team since making his debut in 2012.
The Wallabies have a daunting schedule over the next few months. After two Tests in Argentina, they return to Australia for Rugby Championship Tests against reigning world champions South Africa and then a two-Test series against New Zealand as they look to build momentum for the World Cup of Rugby in France next year.
“Michael is an incredible leader, it takes a brave man to identify where he is and move forward with the best interests of the team in mind,” Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos said. “His welfare is and remains the highest priority right now, where Rugby Australia and the Australian rugby community will do everything possible to support him and his family.”
Hooper last year took a six-month sabbatical to leave Australian rugby and play in Japan’s Top League. He then took further contractual leave and missed most of the 2021 Super Rugby season for the NSW Waratahs.
Although Hooper returned for the latter part of the 2021 Super Rugby Pasifika season and led the Wallabies with his usual aplomb in the recent home series against England, Hooper has spoken openly in the past about the stress of the ‘professional sport, leadership pressure and effects. of social networks about young players.
“You’re trying to be the best you can be and sometimes that doesn’t work, and when it doesn’t work – that’s hard to deal with,” Hooper told the media in the past. “I think it’s important, especially for young players, to be educated on how to deal with it.
“The players are getting a lot better by talking to each other about it,” Hooper said. “Without a doubt, it is a primary thing, how people feel. There’s so much going on, you see so much constantly bombarding you about your work, day in and day out.”