Australia
Stephen Moore reinstated as Wallabies captain
ESPN Staff
July 6, 2015
Stephen Moore will captain the Wallabies this year © Image courtesy Asics / Australian Rugby Union
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Stephen Moore has been reinstated as Wallabies captain for the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup.

The 92-Test veteran was officially unveiled on Monday in Caloundra on Australia's Sunshine Coast where a 40-man Wallabies squad has gathered ahead of the Rugby Championship. Moore will reprise the role he filled for just five minutes in last year's Test against France in Brisbane where he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Incumbent captain Michael Hooper and veteran outside back Adam Ashley-Cooper were named Moore's deputies, giving the Wallabies the same leadership set-up former coach Ewen McKenzie adopted ahead of the 2014 Test season.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he had consulted both Hooper and Ashley-Cooper before settling on his decision.

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"Having spoken to the two vice-captains prior to Stephen, both of them couldn't have made a higher endorsement of Stephen to the lead them personally, this playing group and our country," Cheika said via an Australian Rugby Union media release.

"Leadership is going to be a massive part of this journey, and both Adam and Michael will have a big part to play in supporting Stephen. Stephen is not only a player who leads by example on the field, but he is a man who exemplifies the qualities of a Wallabies captain and it is a testament to his character that he has been able to overcome a setback and put himself in a position to lead his country again.

"He has a tremendous amount of respect not only from within this playing group, but across the board in our organisation and universally within the game."

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Moore said he was thrilled to have another opportunity to lead the Wallabies with his first tenure having ended so abruptly.

"It's an honour every time you get to wear the Wallabies jumper, and to be captain is extra special, but ultimately it's what you do with it that is most important," he said. "It was extremely humbling to have the opportunity last year but it went very quickly, so to be given another chance to represent this group that has so many leaders is a privilege, and something I hold dearly.

"Australian rugby is lucky to have many good leaders in this team who lead by actions and we have already spent some quality time together, defining our identity, what we are about and what we stand for. I'm really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months. It is a very special opportunity for all of us, and it starts in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on July 18 against the Springboks."

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