Jones unveils 34-man squad for Rugby Championship on July 8Veterans to co-captain for first time as eight uncapped players named
Test centurions Michael Hooper and James Slipper will co-captain the Wallabies in 2023 after head coach Eddie Jones unveiled a 34-man squad of young guns, old warhorses and rough diamonds for his first Rugby Championship back in charge.
With former England coach Jones returned to the Wallabies top job he held 2001-05, there had been speculation of a leadership shakeup but Jones has instead shared power between his two warhorses. Hooper, 31, holds the record for most Tests as Wallaby captain with 68, while Slipper sits third on the all-time appearances list behind Stephen Moore (129) and George Gregan (139), with 127 matches for his country.
It is the first time the Wallabies have installed co-captains, with Hooper now having been appointed leader of the national side under four separate head coaches.
Naming his first Test squad since his second coming as coach, Jones said: “Michael and James are both world class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby. They have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.
Hooper, who took a mental health sabbatical from the game last season, said: “It’s an absolute honour to lead the squad alongside Slips. We’ve been having great discussions as a leadership group and wider squad throughout the year and there’s a really optimistic mindset as a collective heading into what’s a massive four months.”
Slipper, who filled Hooper’s shoes as captain when he broke camp to come home 48-hours before last year’s Rugby Championship opener against Argentina, said: “I’m really proud to lead my country and am looking forward to working with Hoops and Eddie to bring this group together and win trophies.”
Jones has named eight uncapped players in the group with Melbourne Rebels duo Carter Gordon and Josh Kemeny rewarded with selection in their first national squad, along with Reds front rowers Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr. ACT Brumbies teammates Tom Hooper and Ryan Lonergan have also earned call-ups, as has NSW Waratahs flyer and former Australia Sevens representative Dylan Pietsch.
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