‘What a ride’ – Wallaby great Michael Hooper brings illustrious career to an end
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Wallabies legend Michael Hooper’s Olympic dream has come to an end with one of Australia’s greatest-ever players announcing his retirement.
The 32-year-old made the switch to sevens in an attempt to represent his country at Paris 2024 but he has confirmed that his “Olympic journey has come to an end”.
Hooper is one of the most decorated Wallabies of all time and brings his career with Australian Rugby to a close after over a decade of service.
Michael Hooper retires from Australian Rugby
The flanker confirmed the news of his retirement via an Instagram post on Sunday, bringing an end to his time with Rugby Australia, but it is not yet clear if he has retired from professional rugby completely.
“What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career,” he wrote in his post.
“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 enjoyed a glittering career in the XVs format, racking up 125 Test appearances for the Wallabies and 172 Super Rugby caps between his stints with the Brumbies (31) and Waratahs (141).
He also became the 82nd Wallabies’ captain, leading his country for the first time in 2014, and went on to do so a total of 69 times.
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He made his Test debut off the bench for the Wallabies in 2012 against Scotland and would feature for the side against the British and Irish Lions a year later.
Renowned for his resilience and robustness, Hooper missed just six Tests matches – two of which he was left as an unused replacement – in his first six seasons of Test rugby and made his 50th appearance for his country in the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final.
He became the youngest Wallaby to notch up 50 Test caps and the second-youngest player ever to reach the milestone at just 23 years and 61 days of age.
In 2020, he became the 12th player to play 100 Test matches for the Wallabies, again becoming the youngest and quickest Wallaby to reach the mark. The following year he broke George Gregan’s record for the most appearances as the Wallabies’ captain, skippering the side in the 30-18 win over South Africa.
‘One of the greatest to wear the Wallaby gold’
A consistent performer throughout his career and highly-regarded as one of the best players in his position during that time, Hooper won the John Eales Medal – a player-voted award for the Wallaby of the year – a record four times (2013, 2016, 2020 and 2021).
He retires as the fourth-most capped Wallaby of all-time, earning his 125th and final cap for Australia against South Africa in 2023 before he was overlooked by ex-head coach Eddie Jones for the Rugby World Cup squad.
The two-time World Rugby XV’s Player of the Year Nominee made the transition to sevens at the end of 2023 and debuted in Hong Kong as he attempted to make the Olympic team which he has been unsuccessful in doing.
“Michael has been an incredible player and ambassador for our sport,” Rugby Australia CEO and ex-Wallaby flanker Phil Waugh said.
“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.”