Stephen Moore will retain the Wallabies captaincy, but coach Michael Cheika says the veteran front rower faces stiff competition for his place in the side.
Cheika, who announces his first squad of the year on Tuesday, has lauded the improving captaincy of NSW Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper and revealed he was considering leadership roles for the Reds' Samu Kerevi and Rebel Sean McMahon, who is contemplating playing overseas next year.
He expected to choose at least a "couple of newbies" in his squad, but had no intention of changing his skipper for the three June Tests.
Moore's form was called into question earlier in the season, but Cheika said the veteran hooker was playing well in his own unobtrusive fashion.
"He's not going to chip over the top, regather and throw a dummy and score, that's not his thing," Cheika said.
"His thing is in-tight, leadership, being aggressive, that's what I want from him.
"I think he's doing that for the Reds, he's being very abrasive in there and getting stuck in.
"Moorey is going to be the captain for sure and he knows too there's some stiff competition."
Among those also in contention for the Wallabies' hooking role are the Western Force's Tatafu Polota-Nau and Waratah Tolu Latu.
While guaranteeing Moore's retention of the captaincy, Cheika said openside flanker Hooper, who has done the job on a part-time basis in the past, had improved out of sight this year as the Waratahs' skipper.
Hooper revealed he had received help from a professional leadership company.
Cheika is prepared to bestow greater responsibility on centre Kerevi and back-rower McMahon, even though the latter could be leaving Australia after this year.
"I think Sean McMahon would be an excellent leader," Cheika said.
"No matter what decision he makes, I'll be looking at him taking that role if he's in the squad.
"He's got strong reasons why he's thinking about it (playing overseas) and I respect those and understand totally and as always with Sean he's a class act.
"I presented the counter view and he understood that too and he took it on board."
Kerevi broke into the Wallabies side last season and has spent time as Queensland skipper this year.
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