Michael Hooper has announced his retirement from “Australian rugby” after missing out on the national sevens team for the Paris Olympics.
Although the team has not been made public, Hooper announced his omission on Instagram on Sunday.
Hooper, 32, made the switch to sevens after missing the World Cup under Eddie Jones last year.
He was dogged by injuries including a fight against osteitis pubis and although he made it back for a trial weekend last week he left his run too late.
“What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career,” Hooper said.
“To the Aussie Sevens team, I wish you all the best, you’ve been an awesome, helpful, and talented group of athletes to be part of.
“As for my time in Australian Rugby, I’m grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout.
“We’ve shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories. Thank you.”
Hooper is Australia’s longest serving skipper, leading the Wallabies 69 times.
He made his Test debut in 2012 as 20-year-old against Scotland after after 31 games for the Brumbies joined the Waratahs in 2013 – captaining th3e team to the title in 2014.
In 10 seasons with the club, Hooper won eight Matthew Burke Cups for the best Waratahs player of the year .
He first captained the Wallabies as a 22-year-old in 2014 and brought up a century of Tests in 2021 having stuck on 99 for a year due to Covid.
Hooper was the first player to win four John Eales Medals, a player-voted award for the Wallaby of the year, earning the accolade in 2013, 2016, 2020 and 2021 and is fourth on the all-time Wallabies appearance list with 125 Tests.
Twice nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, Hooper represented the Wallabies at two Rugby World Cups and made the transition to the Australian Sevens at the end of 2023, making his debut in Hong Kong during the 2023-24 World Series.
Michael Hooper. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said in a statement: “Michael has been an incredible player and ambassador for our sport.
“He leaves a legacy that will remember him as one of the greatest to wear the Wallaby gold and a favourite among Australian supporters.
“Michael’s incredibly well respected here and around the world, and on behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Men’s sevens coach John Manenti is expected to name a 12 player squad, plus two reserves in case of injury, on Wednesday. The players have been told and it’s understood that Hooper’s fellow Wallabies player Mark Nawaqanitawase will be on the plane to Paris next month.
