Michael Hooper should be next Wallaby captain, Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis says

DAVE Dennis has endorsed Michael Hooper as the next Wallaby captain, labelling him a strong leader and one of the best talents he’s played with.

WARATAHS skipper Dave Dennis has endorsed young flanker Michael Hooper as the next captain of the Wallabies, labelling him a strong leader and one of the best talents he’s ever played with.

The departure of incumbent Test skipper Ben Mowen to France at year’s end means Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie will require a replacement to lead Australia into battle against the French next month.

Past captains James Horwill and Will Genia, respected hooker Stephen Moore and relative newcomer Hooper appear to be the primary candidates, and though he is the youngest by some distance at just 22, the Waratahs flanker is gaining support.

Dennis said Hooper’s consistently outstanding form this season, along with the work as one his vice-captain deputies, left him convinced the 2013 John Eales medallist could lead the Wallabies.

“I think it is more than realistic, and he’s definitely capable,” said Dennis.

“Not only in the way he’s performed, but the way he’s supported he me too in my role this year as vice-captain is fantastic. He’s only young and he is going to be around for a long time.

“I wouldn’t see it as an issue at all, having him as the national captain.”

Either Horwill or Genia would be a safe pick for McKenzie, given both have filled the Test captaincy role before.

But both also lost the job last season due to form concerns, and the Reds’ struggles this year have hardly helped their claims for permanent selections - let alone leadership roles - in the team.

Moore is a well-regarded, experienced candidate who has done much to set the standards for Wallaby team culture in recent seasons.

His ascension would be well received but Moore’s claim is somewhat weakened by to the fact he and Tatafu Polota-Nau will battle - as they’ve always done - for the no.2 jersey.

The only player with a stronghold on their Test jersey is Hooper, who is arguably playing his finest rugby this season.

“I’d go as far as saying he is one of the best players I have played with, to be honest,” Dennis said.

“I haven’t played with him for long and he is only young, but every week his consistently and energy and work ethic are first class.

“He is very impressive, and for the age he is, he shows maturity beyond his years in the way he plays.

“The whole goal as a professional athlete is to seek consistency and try and play every week.

“Some guys take five to seven years of their professional careers to finally get to that stage where they consistently play well.

“Whereas he seems to have done that from a very early age and I can’t see it stopping any time soon.

“He is a great guy to play with, and as Cheik said the other night, I am glad he’s on our team. Some of the stuff he is doing is quite phenomenal.”

Hooper leadership credentials haven’t yet been hugely tested.

He captained the Australian under 20s and has been a vice-captain at NSW for the past two seasons, alongside Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Dennis said the leadership potential of Hooper is clear, however, and he expects the flanker to replace him as Waratahs skipper.

“He is not much of a talker or anything but everyone sees how he leads on the field. For me that’s a great balance because Swoop (Ashley-Cooper) and Hoops aren’t big talkers but they both lead on the field and it makes my job a lot easier.

“Where he is at our club at the moment he is very much in a leadership role.

“I see him as a genuine option there definitely but obviously it’s up to Ewen.

“Obviously there will be selection issues when Pocock comes back next year but on form and the way he has been leading in and around, he would be my pick.”

Originally published as Michael Hooper should be next Wallaby captain, Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis says