Australia captain Hooper signs five-year Wallabies extension

Australia captain Michael Hooper is ready to “throw everything” into the Waratahs and the Wallabies after signing a new five-year deal.

The 26-year-old flanker is just the second player in Australia’s history to sign a contract that long, though the terms Lote Tuqiri secured in 2007 were terminated before completion.

Hooper first captained his country in 2014, assuming the role permanently last year, and he has made 82 Test appearances for Australia.

“For me, the statement I would make is there’s a lot to play for here, there’s a lot to be excited about, not only at Wallaby level but at Super [Rugby] level,” he said in quotes on Rugby Australia’s website.

“I’m not really into contracts and all that back-and-forward, so to know that I’m sorted through to the next World Cup is really comforting and just means I can throw everything into the Waratahs and Wallabies.”

#BREAKING l Huge boost for Australian Rugby with #Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper committing until the end of 2023.

READ: https://t.co/HoUIdu6Cqt#GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/vtaqYbMT39

— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) August 10, 2018

Fellow Australia internationals and Waratahs team-mates Bernard Foley and Israel Folau remain unsigned and Hooper would welcome the duo following suit.

“I put the heat on them so they’ve got to sort themselves out now,” Hooper joked.

“Look, everyone’s made their own mind up but if they’re out there and people are willing to do it then fantastic, great. You can lock it in, build a future.”

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