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Michael Hooper has clarity, the captaincy and a fierce battle on his hands.
And the restored Wallabies captain has welcomed all of it ahead of the side’s first Test since coach Eddie Jones’ return – one of just five before September’s World Cup.
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Hooper and James Slipper will share the duties this year in a novel approach, Slipper having took over from him when the 124-Test flanker took a three-month mental health break.
The father of two admitted he harboured serious doubt about his rugby future before stepping away, but was now “all-in”.
“I don’t mind saying that Eddie checked in with me,” Hooper said.
“I have my history and particularly in the last 18 months where it didn’t quite work out there.
“I was unsure what my position looked like in rugby at that point. Now, I can’t wait to give everything I got for this.
“I want to get everything out of this next little chunk.”
Jones on Sunday declared the 31-year-old remained an 80-minute player, lighting the fuse for a high-quality battle for minutes with Queensland Reds’ No.7 Fraser McReight.
The 24-year-old has played 10 Tests and long been considered the man to take over from Hooper.
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His Super Rugby Pacific form this season only bolstered that and McReight can push his case after being included in the 34-man squad to travel to South Africa on Friday.
“It’s a good battle and that’s what we want, the most intense battles,” Jones said, before refusing to elaborate on how they might be used in the July 8 clash with the Springboks in Pretoria.
Hooper can handle the heat and says those situations are what the Wallabies need.
“This is what this team wants, it wants that competition,” he said.
“How can that not be a good result for us.”
