20 October, 2014 13:21
BRUCE PALLISTER | Sports Reporter | [email protected]
THE CURRENT Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, has been selected to captain and coach the side for their upcoming European Tour.
Hooper is the first to be bestowed with the honor of leading and coaching the Wallabies.
“It’s uncharted waters,” says the 22-year-old.
“But I’m going to have a red hot go at it,”
The All Blacks’ last-gasp win over the Wallabies at Lang Park on Saturday was followed by Ewen McKenzie announcing he has quit as Wallabies coach.
The All Blacks broke the hearts of the Wallabies scoring a 29-28 win after the siren at Lang Park rubbing salt into the wounds of an Australian side reeling from a tumultuous fortnight.
“It was a big pill to swallow but we’re regrouping for the Euro tour.” says Mr Hooper.
“The team is very close-knit. Everything’s going to be all right,”
Title-winning NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika looms as the Australian Rugby Union’s No. 1 target to guide the Wallabies to next year’s World Cup.
“Because of the timing of the whole thing, the ARU decided to let Hooper coach them for the tour and the permanent coach will slot in when the boys get home,” says Mr Cheika.
“It’s either me or Larkham, maybe both of us?”
“However, the most Australian thing to do in this situation is to bring back some past hero and give them another shot at glory,” says Mr Cheika.
Michael Hooper agrees.
“I’d rather let Nicky Phipps have a go at coach than see Eddie Jones back in the cockpit.”
