Wallabies captain Michael Hooper axed from Rugby World Cup squad in humiliating backflip

Longtime captain Michael Hooper has reportedly been left out of coach Eddie Jones’ 33-man Wallabies squad for the Rugby World Cup.

The 125-Test veteran had been eyeing a third World Cup tournament.

Reports suggest that 31-year-old Hooper was told on Wednesday he would not be in the Australian squad to be announced on Thursday evening due to concerns over his calf injury.

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Chosen as a co-captain by Jones, the flanker was underwhelming against South Africa in his only Test appearance under the new coach, no thanks to the injury that kept him out of the next three Tests.

In that time another Hooper – 22-year-old Tom – surged into the reckoning