Rugby-Former Australia captain Hooper retires from international rugby
Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v Australia - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa - July 8, 2023 Australia's Michael Hooper in action with South Africa's Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo
(Reuters) - Flanker Michael Hooper announced his retirement from international rugby on Sunday, a month after he was dropped from Australia's rugby sevens squad while dealing with an injury.
The former Australia rugby union captain had made two appearances for the national sevens team this year in a bid to play in the Paris Olympics.
"What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career," Hooper, 32, wrote on Instagram.
Hooper had an 11-year spell with the Wallabies, playing 125 tests including a record 69 matches as captain. He was part of the Australia team that won the Rugby Championship and reached the World Cup final in 2015.
"We’ve shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories," Hooper wrote.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Purulia, India; Editing by Hugh Lawson)