Wallabies legend Michael Hooper has introduced his ‘fast impact’ retirement from ‘Australian Rugby’ – a call confirmed by Rugby Australia.
The announcement comes after Hooper didn’t safe a spot within the Australian Males’s Seven staff for the upcoming Olympics.
Hooper is without doubt one of the most adorned gamers in Australian Rugby historical past having captained the Wallabies greater than another participant main the lads in gold on 69 events.
MICHAEL HOOPER on Wallaby co-captaincy
MICHAEL HOOPER on Wallaby co-captaincy
“What a journey! My Olympic journey has come to an finish, and with it, my Australian Rugby profession. To the Aussie Sevens staff, I want you all the very best you’ve been an superior, useful, and proficient group of athletes to be a part of,” Hooper stated by way of a submit on his Instagram account.
“As for my time in Australian Rugby, I’m grateful to my household and buddies for his or her unwavering help all through. We’ve shared an unimaginable journey, full of unforgettable experiences, challenges, and recollections. Thanks.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh stated: “Michael has been an unimaginable participant and ambassador for our sport.”
“He leaves a legacy that may keep in mind him as one of many biggest to put on the Wallaby gold and a favorite amongst Australian supporters.
“Michael’s extremely nicely revered right here and around the globe, and on behalf of Rugby Australia, I need to want him and his household all the very best for the longer term.”
A Manly Roos junior from Sydney’s Northern Seashores Hooper was educated at St Pius X Faculty however a shoulder damage denied him the chance to symbolize the Australian Schoolboys. Regardless of this setback Hooper made his Tremendous Rugby debut for the ACT Brumbies in 2010 and in addition represented the Australian Beneath 20s in the identical yr. In 2011 he captained the facet and gained participant of the event in his second yr.
In 2012 Hooper made his Take a look at debut as a 20-year-old towards Scotland. He joined the NSW Waratahs in 2013 and captained the facet to a Tremendous Rugby trophy in 2014. Over his 10 seasons with the Waratahs Hooper gained eight Matthew Burke Cups for the very best Waratahs participant of the yr and sits tenth on the all-time Tremendous Rugby appearances file with 172 matches.
Hooper first captained the Wallabies in 2014 at 22 establishing himself because the youngest participant to captain the facet since Ken Catchpole in 1961. Identified for his resilience Hooper missed simply six Assessments in his first six seasons of Take a look at Rugby and made his fiftieth look for his nation within the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Remaining. In 2020 Hooper turned the twelfth Wallaby to play 100 Assessments and would have been the youngest and quickest Wallaby to succeed in this milestone had it not been for COVID-19.
In 2021 Hooper broke George Gregan’s file for essentially the most appearances as Wallabies captain when he led the facet for the sixtieth time. Individually Hooper turned the primary participant to win 4 John Eales Medals a player-voted award for the Wallaby of the yr incomes the accolade in 2013, 2016, 2020 and 2021. He sits fourth on the all-time Wallabies look record with 125 Assessments.
Hooper was twice nominated for the World Rugby Males’s 15s Participant of the 12 months and represented the Wallabies at two Rugby World Cups. He transitioned to the Australian Sevens on the finish of 2023 making his debut in Hong Kong through the 2023-24 World Collection.
