Stephen Moore

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has appointed veteran hooker Stephen Moore as captain of Australia for this year’s international campaigns.

A veteran of 92 Tests and Australia’s all-time most capped hooker, Moore has been reinstated as Wallaby captain, following a season-ending injury in his 1st outing as skipper.

Moore will be well supported in the role with 2014 Wallaby captain Michael Hooper and Test centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper named as the team’s vice-captains.

“Having spoken to the 2 vice-captains prior to Stephen, both of them couldn’t have made a higher endorsement of Stephen to the lead them personally, this playing group and our country,” Cheika said.

“Leadership is going to be a massive part of this journey, and both Adam and Michael will have a big part to play in supporting Stephen.

“Stephen is not only a player who leads by example on the field, but he is a man who exemplifies the qualities of a Wallabies captain and it is a testament to his character that he has been able to overcome a setback and put himself in a position to lead his country again.

“He has a tremendous amount of respect not only from within this playing group, but across the board in our organisation and universally within the game.”

Now in his 11th season of international rugby, Moore is the current Brumbies skipper and became Australia’s 81st Test captain when he led the team out in the opening Test against France in June last year.

“It’s an honour every time you get to wear the Wallabies jumper, and to be captain is extra special, but ultimately it’s what you do with it that is most important,” Moore said.

“It was extremely humbling to have the opportunity last year but it went very quickly, so to be given another chance to represent this group that has so many leaders is a privilege, and something I hold dearly.

“Australian Rugby is lucky to have many good leaders in this team who lead by actions and we have already spent some quality time together, defining our identity, what we are about and what we stand for.

“I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months. It is a very special opportunity for all of us, and it starts in Brisbane on 18 July against the Springboks.”

Honeybadger (Nick Cummins) added to squad:

Nick Cummins

The Wallabies have made 1 change to their squad announced last week, with Western Force wing Nick Cummins replacing Henry Speight.

Fijian-born Speight has been granted compassionate leave from the Wallabies’ program to return home to his place of birth, following the passing of his grandfather.

Speight will remain out of the Wallabies squad until they return from Mendoza, Argentina.

Cummins and the Wallabies arrived in Caloudra on Sunday for a 5-day camp ahead of The Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks on 18 July in Brisbane.

Wallabies squad – revised: Rory Arnold, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Dave Dennis, James Hanson, Scott Fardy, Tetera Faulkner, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Matt Giteau, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, Rob Horne, James Horwill, Samu Kerevi, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Stephen Moore, Drew Mitchell, Wyclif Palu, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Toby Smith, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.

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