Michael Cheika backs Stephen Moore to remain Australia skipper
Friday 26 May 2017 11:19, UK
Australia head coach Michael Cheika has insisted hooker Stephen Moore will remain as Wallabies captain, even if he is not guaranteed a starting place in the team.
Moore was named as Wallabies captain by Cheika in July 2015 ahead of the World Cup in England, where he led the side to the final.
The 116-cap international has continued to lead his country since, but at 34-years-old and with his form struggling at times this season back at the Queensland Reds there have been calls from some sections for change.
Western Force and Waratahs hookers Tatafu Polota-Nau and Tolu Latu have also enjoyed eye-catching seasons, but Cheika has backed his man to do a job.
"Moorey is going to be the captain for sure and he knows, too, there's some stiff competition," Cheika said. "His thing is in-tight, leadership, being aggressive, that's what I want from him.
"I think he's doing that for the Reds, he's being very abrasive in there and getting stuck in."
"Moorey knows that too [there is stiff competition]. Captaincy's a leadership issue whether you're in the team or not," he said.
Openside flanker Michael Hooper previously captained the Wallabies during the 2014 Test-season in Moore's injury-enforced absence, and at 22 was the youngest player to do so since 1961.
The 25-year-old has long been touted as the natural successor to Moore, and Cheika also took time to talk the backrower up after a difficult season with the struggling Waratahs.
"Hoops, really improved out of sight this year with the 'Tahs," Cheika said.
"It's not been easy for him and he's excelled in the way he's handled himself."
Cheika's attentions will next turn to a busy series of summer internationals, as Australia play Fiji, Scotland and Italy over the course of June.
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