Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has made history by naming Test centurions Michael Hooper and James Slipper as co-captains for the 2023 season.
It is the first time the Wallabies have split leadership duties but Jones floated the idea back in April.
The Chiefs, who lost Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific final, use the same model under co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber.
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Slipper led the Wallabies at the end of 2022 after Hooper returned home from the Rugby Championship to prioritise his mental health.
But the 31-year-old flanker has been re-energised this season as he eyes what will almost certainly be his final Rugby World Cup in France.
“Michael and James are both world class players, strong leaders and embody what it means to be a Wallaby,” Jones said.
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“They have worked hard with the leadership group since January, and it will be important they continue to have strong support from the players around them.
“Getting selected in the squad is just the start, we’ve got to build the team now and that will require hard work and getting a little bit more out of everyone involved.”
Hooper holds the record for the most Tests as Wallabies captain with 68.
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“It’s an absolute honour to lead the squad alongside Slips,” Hooper said.
“We’ve been having great discussions as a leadership group and wider squad throughout the year and there’s a really optimistic mindset as a collective heading into what’s a massive four months.”
Prop Slipper, 34, has played 127 Tests and sits third on the all-time list behind George Gregan (139) and Stephen Moore (129).
“I’m really proud to lead my country and am looking forward to working with Hoops and Eddie to bring this group together and win trophies,” Slipper.
Jones also sprung some major surprises in his squad of 34 players for the Rugby Championship.
There are eight uncapped players in Carter Gordon, Josh Kemeny, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Dylan Pietsch and Richie Arnold.
Kemeny, Faessler, Nonggorr, Hooper and Pietsch can all be considered genuine bolters.
The big name omissions include Bernard Foley, James O’Connor, Harry Wilson, Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Hunter Paisami, Ned Hanigan and Lachlan Lonergan.
That group was instead named in a “train on squad” as the Wallabies prepare for the opening Test against the Springboks in Pretoria on July 9 (AEST).
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Jones was granted permission by Rugby Australia to name five overseas-based players.
The five are Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Will Skelton, Richie Arnold and Quade Cooper.
Kerevi was listed in a ‘rehab group’ that also featured Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, Andrew Kellaway, Jordan Petaia and Matt Philip.
Max Jorgensen, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda and Corey Toole were not considered due to injury.
WALLABIES SQUAD
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Dave Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini
Backs: Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright
Utilities: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch
REHAB GROUP
Angus Bell, Langi Gleeson, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip
TRAIN ON SQUAD
Forwards: Charlie Cale, Josh Canham, Pone Fa’amausili, Folau Fainga’a, Charlie Gamble, Ned Hanigan, Tom Lambert, Lachlan Lonergan, Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Blake Schoupp, Darcy Swain, Lachlan Swinton, Sam Talakai, Brad Wilkin, Harry Wilson
Backs: Lachlan Anderson, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Josh Flook, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, James O’Connor, Hunter Paisami, James Tuttle, Joey Walton
Utility: Seru Uru
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