Wallabies' Hooper 'excited' to return after 'mindset' exile / Photo: Saeed KHAN - AFP/File
-
Korea's Severe Asthma Patients Blocked from Biologics by Restrictive Reimbursement Rules
-
Belgium Signs Contract for 20 Rheinmetall Skyranger Air Defence Systems
-
Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Signs Pacts With London and Ottawa Institutions at CIIE
-
RBI Data Reveals Divergence in Credit Card Spending and Debit Card Cash Withdrawals
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
-
Sweet As app launches restaurant discovery platform
-
Two more arrested in Carrie Mullane suspected murder investigation
-
Phoenix Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner to Go for Pickup
-
MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road
-
Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism
-
Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks
-
Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring
-
Canadian soldier Aidan Goulding remembered at Vancouver funeral
-
Second major storm brings destructive winds and outages to British Columbia
-
Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka
-
Godzilla Minus Zero leads North American box office with $31.6m
-
Robert Trujillo discusses literacy and social justice children’s books
-
Advocate calls for coordinated support for children facing trafficking
-
Civil rights advocate William Bill Tucker dies aged 98
-
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Review Your Coverage Options
-
Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections
-
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
-
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
-
Nvidia CEO Controversy Sparks Fears of Tighter U.S. AI Chip Curbs for Samsung and SK hynix
-
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
-
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
-
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
-
Nottinghamshire launches specialist rural crime policing team
-
Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme
-
China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit
-
Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth
-
Rail journey offers a slower route to a Berlin city break
-
Energy bill plan could use HMRC income data to target support
-
Arsenal control title race as Manchester United fall into bottom three
-
Business owner earning £6,000 a month tackles £70,000 debt
-
Suspected Krakow gunman dies after attack that killed six
-
Nvidia chief faces inquiry after disclosing affair with suspected Chinese agent
-
Carrick backs Dalot after hostile reception from Manchester United fans
-
Comet returns as online electrical marketplace 14 years after collapse
-
Aston Villa Defy History With Rare Victory at Old Trafford
Wallabies' Hooper 'excited' to return after 'mindset' exile
Australia flanker Michael Hooper said on Monday he was "excited" to be back with the squad after missing six games earlier this year due to the "rollercoaster" nature of Test rugby.
Hooper, 30, the Wallabies' most capped skipper, withdrew on the eve of August's Test against Argentina in Mendoza, saying he was not in the "right mindset" to lead his country.
He then sat out the remainder of the Rugby Championship before being included in the set-up for their upcoming tour of Europe.
"I'm excited to be back," he told reporters from Australia's training camp in Saint-Etienne, France.
"I'm realistic that there's going to be some really good days and some days with the realities of travel and rugby and stuff will be difficult.
"It's part of the journey, and doing what we do is that whole rollercoaster.
"I'm back in this position because I want to be here," he added.
Experienced prop James Slipper has taken over as captain from Waratahs back-rower Hooper.
"What's my stance on captaincy? First and foremost now, it's complete support for Slipps," Hooper said.
"He wants me to enjoy my rugby and compete.
"If I'm in a good space with those things then I'm probably going to be playing good rugby. And he's happy with that," he added.
Hooper could make his Test comeback against Scotland this Saturday, the day he turns 31.
The Wallabies then face France, Italy, Ireland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays from November 5 but Hooper refused to look as far ahead as next year's Rugby World Cup in France.
"Those experiences are amazing to be a part of. I'm also realistic, you can get injured going into a World Cup year and miss it," he said.
"The World Cup's a great cherry but I'm a player, I love competing, being a part of this team, it's not a forever thing.
"I missed being out there with the team, representing. That was the lure and try to realise my potential in the game," he added.
F.Schneider--AMWN