Wallabies captain Michael Hooper withdraws from tour, citing ‘mindset’

Captain Michael Hooper has withdrawn from the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship Test against Argentina 24 hours before kick-off, saying he isn’t in the “right mindset” to lead or represent the country.

The tireless flanker had been named to lead the side in his 122nd Test on Sunday morning (AEST) but will now return to Australia, missing both matches against the Pumas. Fellow Test centurion James Slipper will captain the side in Mendoza, while Fraser McReight will replace Hooper in the number seven jersey.

“While this decision did not come easily I know it is the right one for me and the team at this point in time,” Hooper said in a statement. “My whole career I’ve looked to put the team first and I don’t feel I am able to fulfil my responsibilities at the moment in my current mindset.”

Hooper addressed teammates prior to the announcement, telling the squad he had the utmost confidence they could get win the tests against Argentina without him.

Coach Dave Rennie said his captain, aged 30, had shown “true courage”.

“Michael’s one of the most professional and impressive men I’ve coached I know this has been a difficult decision for him,” he said. “He’s shown true courage by acknowledging where he is at and acting on it. We will 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 through the week of Hooper’s anguish. “Nothing was evident to us in how he trained, how he contributed around the team, around leadership was excellent but clearly he’s been struggling a bit and masking that pretty well,” Rennie told reporters from Argentina on Saturday (AEST).

“Obviously he’s been able to suppress things over the past handful of weeks