Wallabies veteran Michael Hooper expected to miss clash with Argentina

Michael Hooper’s failure to train with the Wallabies on Wednesday has cast doubt over his availability for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.

Michael Hooper has suffered a calf injury. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Wallabies co-captain Michael Hooper is likely to be ruled out of Australia’s clash against Argentina on Saturday night in Sydney.

Wallabies staff confirmed that the 31-year-old flanker did not train on Wednesday afternoon following reports that he injured his calf on Tuesday.

Australia’s team for the Rugby Championship clash at CommBank Stadium will be named on Thursday morning.

Should 125-Test veteran Hooper be ruled out, the contenders to replace him include the ACT Brumbies’ Pete Samu, who was used off the bench in the Wallabies’ 43-12 weekend loss to South Africa in Pretoria, and Queensland Reds flanker Fraser McReight.

McReight, 24, has long been touted as Hooper’s successor.

Michael Hooper is set to miss Australia’s Test against Argentina because of a calf injury. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Meanwhile, veteran flyhalf Quade Cooper has thrown his support by emerging playmaker Carter Gordon, saying the Wallabies pair would continue to “challenge” each other in the battle for Australia’s No.10 jersey.

Following the Wallabies’ poor performance against the Springboks, there have been some calls for Gordon to replace 35-year-old Cooper in Australia’s starting team for the match against the Argentines

Cooper played for 69 minutes against the Springboks before the introduction of 22-year-old Gordon, who scored a consolation try for the Wallabies in his Test debut.

“I was just super happy for him,” Cooper said.

“His performance when he came on, obviously the game was gone at that stage, but I felt that he showed what he’s all about.

“To see how he went about it, scoring a try, (and) kicking a goal, it was a great start to his Test career.

“He showed that he’s got the makings of a great player, and I want to be there to continue to support him, and also challenge him, the way that we’re challenging each other.”

Cooper, who is on the comeback trail from a ruptured Achilles tendon, was hopeful of getting another chance to prove he’s worthy of a spot in Australia’s squad for the Rugby World Cup, which starts in September.

“Technically. it’s my third game footy (since returning). so I’m excited to have the opportunity to get back out there,” he said.

“It’s more so just the team getting time in the saddle together, more time on the training paddock – we’ll continue to improve from there.

“We’ve got ‘x’ amount of days that we get to be together, ‘x’ amount of days that we get to lean and connect with each other, take that into the game, and just continue to build on this road to the World Cup.”