Michael Hooper steps down as Waratahs captain

Michael Hooper's future as Wallabies captain is up in the air after the announcement he will stand down as Waratahs skipper for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

In a major shock just over a week before the Waratahs play their first match of the season against the Crusaders, Hooper has informed teammates he has chosen to not continue in the role he has been in full-time since 2016 when he took over from Dave Dennis.

Hooper will be replaced as Waratahs captain by 100-test Wallaby Rob Simmons, while Kurtley Beale is set to be named vice-captain by the club on Wednesday morning.

Simmons, with 145 Super Rugby caps to his name - 114 of those at the Queensland Reds - will become the 172nd captain of the NSW Waratahs in their 146-year history.

Meanwhile the 2020 Super Rugby season kicks-off next Friday where the Blues will take on the Chiefs at 6.05pm and the Brumbies will face the Reds at 8.15 pm.

[Source: Stuff.co]