Wallabies skipper injures knee early

New Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has badly injured his left knee in the opening exchanges against France at Suncorp Stadium.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore leaves the field injured

New Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has injured his knee in the opening exchanges against France. (AAP)

The Wallabies captaincy curse has reared its ugly head again with Stephen Moore lasting just five minutes in his first game as skipper.

Moore is in grave doubt for the rest of the three-Test series against France after suffering a medial ligament tear on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.

The 92-Test hooker injured his left knee in the opening minute of the 50-23 win after falling awkwardly in making a tackle from the side on French flanker Bernard le Roux.

Moore bravely attempted to play on but was a mere passenger as France pressured inside Australia's half before Frederic Michalak slotted a drop goal.

Ironically, the new skipper was a Trojan in all 15 Tests last year but had to be replaced by Tatafu Polota-Nau and finished the night in hospital having scans.

Coach Ewen McKenzie said it was gutting for Moore, who took over the captaincy from the France-bound Ben Mowen.

"It's definitely a medial injury, what level we don't know," he said. "The scan will tell us if it's more than that."

Flanker Michael Hooper took over the captaincy duties ahead of Adam Ashley-Cooper and led from the front in a superb display.

Moore's injury is the latest in the curse that struck down James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia in 2012 when the Australian captains were all injured in quick succession.


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