Link hopes Hooper's magic rubs off

Coach Ewen McKenzie would love to see new captain Michael Hooper's "fairydust" fall on the rest of his Wallabies.

All eyes will be on Michael Hooper, the youngest Wallabies skipper in 53 years, when he leads Australia for the first time on Saturday night.

But the 22-year-old will particularly feel the glare of coach Ewen McKenzie before kick-off against France at Etihad Stadium.

McKenzie is an ardent admirer of Hooper, who he's never seen play a bad game in his 29 Tests.

He marvels at the indestructible flanker's self-management, but to a point - especially when it comes to respecting the national anthem.

"He has trouble standing still," McKenzie told AAP. "He gets very involved in the psyche of the game.

"I've said to him 'Mate you just have to wiggle your toes, you can't be jumping up and down during the anthems'.

"There's no disrespect, he's just self-motivated.

"He knows I'm watching. Now we're watching each other at the anthems."

But that focus Hooper has in his preparations is something McKenzie hopes will rub off on his teammates as they build towards next year's World Cup in England.

"The thing that stands out for me is just his ability to self-manage and self-organise so he can deliver so consistently," he said. "I can't think of a quiet game he's had.

"If he can spread some of that sort of fairydust among the rest of the team then that will be fantastic."

McKenzie, who played against Hooper's English-born father David in Sydney club rugby, had no hesitation elevating him to the captaincy when Stephen Moore was injured in the 50-23 first Test win.

Although he's the second youngest player in the Wallabies' 32-man squad, and fourth youngest Australian skipper of all time, Hooper's whole-hearted game garners immense respect from his elder teammates.

"He's mature beyond his years," said hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau. "For a kid to not only step up and show leadership qualities is a credit to him.

"Even being the old blobhead I still get motivated by him.

"He doesn't say much but when he does it speaks volumes, and he leads by his actions. You want to play for him."


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