Former Australian captain has called time on his career, after missing out on Paris Games
Former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper has announced his retirement after being left out of the Paris Olympic team.
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Wallabies great Michael Hooper has announced his immediate retirement from Australian rugby after missing the Sevens team for the Paris Games.
Hooper, the former Wallabies skipper, who captained the Australian Test side on more occasions that any other player, announced his retirement on social media on Sunday night after missing Olympic selection.
“What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian rugby career,” Hooper posted to Instagram.
“To the Aussie Sevens team, I wish you all the best you’ve been an awesome, helpful and talented group of athletes to be a part of.
“As for my time in Australian Rugby, I’m grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout. We’ve shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories. Thank you.”
A controversial omission from Eddie Jones’ side for last year’s World Cup, Hooper pivoted and joined the Sevens program at the end of 2023, working towards Olympic selection.
His time in the short form of the game has been blighted by injuries though, with the 32-year-old spending several months on the sidelines before making his debut in Hong Kong during the 2023-24 World Series.
But he was informed he had missed the cut for the Olympics after the squad was finalised at a training camp in Darwin at the weekend.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said Hooper had been an incredible player and ambassador for the sport.
“He leaves a legacy that will remember him as one of the greatest to wear the Wallaby gold and a favourite among Australian supporters,” Waugh said.
“Michael’s incredibly well respected here and around the world, and on behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Hooper’s announcement he has retired from Australian rugby leaves him open to offers from overseas, where he could finish his career with a lucrative club stint and he would be in demand in Europe, Japan or the US.
While Hooper has missed selection, Wallabies flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase will be named in coach John Manenti’s squad on Wednesday when the women’s team will also be announced by the Australian Olympic Committee in Sydney.
The 82nd Australian captain, Hooper made his Wallabies debut at age 20 and became one of the greats, first captaining the side at 22 and missing just six Tests throughout his tenure.
The openside flanker finished his career with 125 Tests to his name - fourth on the Wallabies all-time list - and earnt four John Eales Medals as the player of the year, the last in 2021.
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Originally published as Former Australian captain has called time on his career, after missing out on Paris Games