Slipper said the pair were only asked by Jones to lead the team on Saturday night on the Gold Coast, where the team are preparing for their Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in Pretoria on July 9 (AEST).<\/p>\n
Watch the 2023 Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Slipper led the Wallabies at the end of 2022 after Hooper returned home from the Rugby Championship to prioritise his mental health.<\/p>\n But the flanker has been re-energised \ufeffthis season as he eyes what will almost certainly be his final World Cup in France in September\/October.\ufeff<\/p>\n "I don't mind saying that Eddie checked in with me," Hooper told reporters.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Bolters galore in Eddie Jones' Wallabies squad<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Legend urges top draft prospect to dodge Eagles<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n ASHES HIGHLIGHTS:<\/strong> Gardner's mastery keeps Aussies on top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n "I have my history and particularly in the last 18 months where it didn't quite work out there. I was unsure what my position looked like in rugby at that point.<\/p>\n "Now, I can't wait to give everything I've got for this. I want to get everything out of this next little chunk."<\/p>\n It is the first time the Wallabies have split leadership duties but Jones \ufefffloated the idea back in April.<\/a><\/p>\n The coach \ufeffindicated that prop Slipper could play 50-60 minutes while flanker Hooper remained an 80 minute player.<\/p>\n "You've seen me play enough to know I throw myself into everything when it comes to rugby," Hooper said.<\/p>\n "The Waratahs is an example of that, I threw myself into that with everything I've got.<\/p>\n "I've always said throughout the whole of this year, whatever is best for the team is what I'll support.<\/p>\n "So right now this is what's best for the team and if that changes then I'm all in, no matter what. I feel privileged as always to captain the team, to do that with a new coach, new crew and with Slips, a guy who I've had such great times playing with on and off field, I'm rapt."<\/p>\n Slipper has battled his own demons including a ban for using cocaine in 2018.<\/p>\n "My journey's got plenty of ups and downs but I think the biggest thing out of today and moving forward is this group having an eye on what's coming up," Slipper said.<\/p>\n "Individually I'm pumped but I'm more pumped for this team and what we can do."<\/p>\n WALLABIES SQUAD<\/strong><\/p>\n Forwards:<\/strong> 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<\/p>\n Backs:<\/strong> 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<\/p>\n Utilities:<\/strong> Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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