Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s captaincy dilemma without Michael Hooper

Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Nic White and James O’Connor, are all part of the Wallabies leadership team — but they are not 80-minute players.

Pete Samu replaces Michael Hooper in the Wallabies Test against England at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday. Picture: Getty Images

James Slipper will captain the Wallabies after Michael Hooper was ruled out of their final Test of the year against Wales on Sunday morning (AEDT), bringing into question coach Dave Rennie’s selections for the spring tour.

Hooper hobbled off Twickenham midway through the second half during the Wallabies’ 32-15 defeat – their eighth successive loss to Eddie Jones’ England.

At the time of his departure in the 55th minute, the Wallabies only trailed 19-15.

Scans on Monday revealed he had a grade two midfoot sprain, which will see him miss his first Test under Rennie’s watch as the Wallabies attempt to end their year on a high against the Six Nations champions.

Allan Alaalatoa. Picture: Getty Images

“Obviously ‘Hoops’ is a massive loss,” backrow teammate Rob Valeltini said.

“He’s our captain but he’s probably the biggest workhorse in our team. He never stops, and that’s something that the team will miss.”

Rennie, who was the third successive Wallabies coach to pick Hooper as his captain, has turned to his most experienced player to replace him as captain. Slipper who last captained the Wallabies in a World Cup warm-up against the USAin 2015.

“It’s devastating losing our captain ‘Hoops’, but there was a big roar when we heard that ‘Slips’ was captain,” James O’Connor told reporters.

“He’s one of our leaders, he’s in our leadership group and he’s just been there and done that and everyone can rely on him.

“He’s a very steady presence out there on the field.”

Slipper is the perfect man for a crisis. As hard as nails, Slipper is as loyal as a dog and has the life experience to know how to lead.

“The job is normal for him,” O’Connor remarked.

“He’s using the guys around him that would normally speak on detail and he comes in with a bit of emotion which he normally does.

“He’s a man of action and what he says he does and he puts his body on the line every week.”

Pete Samu, the Brumbies back-rower, will all but certainty fill the No.7 jersey in what will be the first time that neither Hooper or David Pocock have not worn it since 2013.

Lyon-based Colby Fainga’a, a success at the Brumbies and Rebels before excelling at Connacht, is also in line to make his debut off the bench — another fairytale story for one of Australian rugby’s most respected and liked flankers.

Wallabies prop James Slipper tackles Scotland’s Stuart Hogg at Murrayfield Stadium on November 7. Picture: Getty Images

Should he make his debut, he will follow in the footsteps of Wallaby brothers Saia and Anthony. Another brother, Vili, played two Tests for Tonga in 2012.

Hooper’s absence, however, exposed the Wallabies’ touring party selection.

Although Samu gives the Wallabies pace and tempo off the bench, the two-time Super Rugby winner with the Crusaders has never shone as a starter in his 18-Test career .

James O’Connor. Picture: AFP

He was used as a super-sub by Scott Robertson, and that is where he has been most effective under Rennie.

The best openside flanker in Super Rugby AU in 2021 was Junior Wallabies captain Fraser McReight.

But McReight is not on tour — Rennie selected Sean McMahon ahead of him.

McReight, who is a natural on-baller and has superb leadership qualities, spoke with Rennie before the touring party was named and asked whether he would be used after two years predominantly stuck behind Hooper.

With McMahon expected to tour and Samu another strong bench option given his versatility across the entire back-row, the decision was made that McReight would benefit from a proper pre-season.

However, McMahon’s decision to withdraw ahead of the November Tests threw a spanner in the works, with Rennie opting to turn to Europe.

Now following Hooper’s injury, the decision to call-up Fainga’a from France has robbed Australia of the chance to have a close look at their next best No.7 option.

The 22-year-old has been limited to just two cameos off the bench because he has been stuck behind the Wallabies captain.

But the decision not to select him originally still baffles.

The recent Test against world No.10 Japan was a perfect opportunity to expose the flanker before the Wallabies turn their attention to the 2023 World Cup.

Nic White trains for the Wallabies. Picture: Getty Images