Stephen Moore will remain Wallabies captain despite pressure from Michael Hooper, says Michael Cheika

STEPHEN Moore has received backing from Michael Cheika to remain Wallabies skipper despite pressure from Michael Hooper and some surprise candidates.

STEPHEN Moore remains Michael Cheika’s first choice as Wallabies captain for the June Test series, though the national coach admitted Michael Hooper is growing in leadership stature.

With less than 25 Tests to play before the 2019 World Cup, many believe a changing of the guard from 34-year-old Moore to 25-year-old Hooper is inevitable this year, but Cheika indicated that would not happen in the three Tests next month against Fiji, Scotland and Italy.

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But if Moore’s form is not up to scratch, Cheika suggested he could still be captain while playing off the bench.

Stephen Moore will be retained as captain of Australia. Picture: Getty Images

“Moorey is going to be the captain, but there is some stiff competition, I think [Tatafu] Polota-Nau has had a great season … and as has Tolu [Latu],” Cheika said.

“I think he is going to have his hands full with competition. Moorey knows that too. We always know captaincy is a leadership issue, around the squad, whether you are in the team or not.

“That’s for all players in leadership roles. Maybe in the past they’ve been in leadership roles, like a lineout leader or something, and then they haven’t got picked. You still have to be involved in leadership. Leadership doesn’t just base itself on selection.

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“First thing I will look at whether we are going to rotate someone out or something would be ‘what’s the form?’ first-up. And then we’ll go from there.”

Hooper is the standout Australian player in Super Rugby and has shown tremendous improvement in his on-field leadership to match his personal performances, a factor that will press Cheika’s thinking around his captain in preparation for 2019.

“Stephen? Yes [he is still my first-choice captain], but Hoops has been captain before obviously, and done an outstanding job,” Cheika said.

“I really think he has improved out of sight this year with the Tahs. They’ve had some difficult times and he has been in the learning zone there, Hoops.

Stephen Moore is in the twilight of his career.

“It’s not been easy for him. He has excelled in the way he’s involved himself. They’ve done some good work with him there around getting that (leadership) part right.

“And then there are a couple of other guys I am interested in bringing into leadership roles. A guy like Samu Kerevi, I was very happy when they gave him that role in Queensland because I think he is a natural.

“And the other guy — as controversial as this might be considering he is thinking about leaving — is Sean McMahon. I think he would be an excellent leader of men.

“That’s probably not kosher me saying that because he’s thinking about leaving [to Japanese rugby] but I think he’d be excellent. No matter what decision he makes I will be looking at him taking that role, if he’s in the squad.”

Wallabies forward Michael Hooper has been working on his communication skills.

Hooper has worked with a sports psychologist and the Waratahs coaching staff throughout the year to dramatically improve his communication.

“For mine Squeak [Moore] has been doing a fantastic job over the past couple of years and his voice is such a strong voice within that Wallaby group, and I personally love getting in behind him and seeing what he has to say and leading the Wallaby team,” Hooper said.

Hooper revealed that a conversation with his partner prompted him to seek leadership development after becoming NSW captain.

“My girlfriend said to me ‘You’re put in this position with no training or no help and you’re expected to do it’, and I agreed with her,” Hooper said.

“You have to try to do your best. [Coach] Daryl [Gibson] and the coaching staff have been fantastic with helping me, helping our leadership team, then also getting people to come in and give us some feedback and ways forward and asking the right questions.

“The guy that we’re working with has been fantastic.”