Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is set to unveil his 33-man Rugby World Cup squad this week.
In a rather shocking turn of events, long-time captain Michael Hooper has reportedly been omitted from the squad.
Joining the 125-times capped Hooper in reportedly missing the squad are centre Len Ikitau and veteran forward Jed Holloway.
Due to injury concerns surrounding Hooper and Ikitau, Jones opted to leave the two behind to enter the tournament with a fully fit squad.
Having missed out on the squad, it is likely that Hooper has played his last game in the Gold jersey bringing down the curtain on an international career that has spanned over a decade.
Likely to replace Hooper in the number seven shirt is Queensland Reds star Fraser McReight who is set to be named in the squad as the likely first choice.
Speaking about Hooper’s omission, Jones said: “Michael Hooper has a serious injury, and when you have got a serious injury, there are deadlines, and we need to find out the deadline on it.
“When you have got a calf injury, sometimes you don’t know how quickly you can recover.”
Still just thirty-one years old, it will be interesting to see what Hooper’s next move will be as his signature will be highly sought after in leagues around the world.
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