Australia
Michael Cheika happy with Captain Hooper
ESPN Staff
December 1, 2014
England 26-17 Australia (Australia only)
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Michael Hooper appears to have the jump on Stephen Moore in the race to lead the Wallabies at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but Michael Cheika but doesn't want to turn the situation into a "presidential run-off".

Brumbies veteran Moore was handed the Wallabies' armband by Ewen McKenzie earlier this year, but he lasted only minutes before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in the first Test against France. Hooper stepped in to lead the team for the remainder of that game and the 13 Tests since, and Cheika is impressed by the manner in which the Waratahs flanker has handled the role in a tumultuous period that has seen just five wins and included the Kurtley Beale text message scandal.

"[The captaincy] is a strange situation because Stephen was picked to be captain by the previous regime and he lasted not long, which was unlucky for him," Cheika said. "He's obviously got outstanding leadership qualities. He's going to be captain of the Brumbies next year so that's going to be held in a good stead. Hooper is not going to be captain of the Waratahs [he is behind incumbent Dave Dennis] but has captained them before and has captained here; that gives me a good option as well."

The Wallabies play only four Tests before the World Cup in September, and none before July, giving Cheika time to ponder his options. But the coach suggested that Hooper had done enough to be the leading candidate.

"It's not going to be a presidential run-off or anything like that," Cheika said. "It's going to be about just deciding what's best for the team at that time. Right now, I'll be truthful, I'm very happy with the job that Michael Hooper's doing."

Quade Cooper, meanwhile, believes whichever player takes the role will be leading a united squad that has developed a "hard edge" during the spring tour.

Australia departed the UK on Sunday having lost three Tests in Europe for the first time since 2005, but Cooper insists the changes implemented by Cheika have the team heading in the right direction.

"The results aren't what we wanted and the Australian public wanted, but the fact is we're working harder than we ever have," Cooper said. "You think back and think 'I used to work hard' and then you get pushed harder and you realise there's more you can improve on.

"What we've been getting out of how we've been training and pushing each other as team-mates, that's going to put us in a good position next year."

© AAP

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