REPORT: Hooper left out of Eddie's World Cup squad
NEWS: Wallaby veteran Michael Hooper has reportedly been left out of Eddie Jones’ squad for the upcoming World Cup.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, concerns about Hooper’s calf injury was the deciding factor and the 31-year-old was notified of the decision on Wednesday.
Jones will reveal his squad on Thursday in Darwin, where the team is in camp for the next few days.
Chosen as a co-captain by Jones, the loose forward was underwhelming against South Africa in his only Test appearance under the new coach and then he missed the next three games due to that calf injury.
In that time another Hooper – 22-year-old Tom – surged into the reckoning and long-time understudy Fraser McReight complemented him nicely in a new-look No.6 and No.7 combination.
Samu Kerevi (hand) and Taniela Tupou (rib) will also enter under injury clouds, so too centre Len Ikitau (shoulder).
But all three are expected to front up in Darwin before the side’s official Sydney farewell.
The Wallabies, who have sunk to No.8 in the world, will play the host nation in a final World Cup tune-up on August 27 before their opener against Georgia on September 10.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
Additional reporting: AAP
