The 121-times capped flanker took time out from the Rugby Championship to get himself back into the right space to play again. He described a “rollercoaster of emotions” as the reason behind him taking a mental health break just as the Aussies were due to kick off their campaign in Argentina.
James Slipper took over the captaincy reigns from Hooper, who had been in charge for 64 Tests, and the two men will spearhead the current squad on their tour. Slipper will be the designated captain for the five match, end of season tour, but the influence of a rejuvenated Hooper is bound to shine through.
After a dozen years on the professional rugby scene, Hooper rocked the sporting world when he left the Wallabies camp on the eve of Australia’s opening Rugby Championship fixture against the Pumas in early August.
He sought all types of help from family, friends, sports therapists and professional counsellors to get himself back in the right frame of mind to play again. For now, at least, he feels ready to return to the field of play, but it isn’t looking as far ahead as guaranteeing his availability for the World Cup in France next year.
“As a younger man, I viewed asking for help as, I guess, a bit of a weakness. You want to feel like you have it all worked out and I certainly didn’t,” said Hooper.
“I’ve been playing the game for a long time, had some great changes in my life happen this year and there were a lot of things running through my head showing up in Argentina. Argentina wasn’t the place where I needed to sort those things out.
“I wanted to be around family. I wanted to be in a place where I could put the time in to those things that I needed to put in.
“That doesn’t mean that I’m sitting here now completely cured. It’s not like that at all. At that point in time, I needed to be somewhere else. That wasn’t Argentina.
“I know that’s quite vague but, yeah, I’m still getting my head around it. It’s not that long ago.”
Fast forward a couple of months and he is ready to resume on a tour that will see him face Wales for a 10th time in his career. He can boast a 7-2 winning ratio to date and will want to help the Wallabies lay down a marker ahead another World Cup pool clash in France in a year’s time.
“The beautiful thing about rugby, and the hard thing about all sport, is there’s always the next goal, so that you can move on and you can move on quick,” added Hooper.
“It was probably exacerbated being overseas, away from home, but certainly where I’m at, in my career and things like that, you start to look at post-rugby. I’ve got a family now.
“So, there’s a lot (more) elements now than being a 22-year-old and pretty much being concerned about yourself. I think that played into it.
“I’m excited. I’m excited to be back – at this stage. I’m also realistic knowing that last time I was in here it didn’t quite work out.
“So, I’m back putting myself in this position because I want to be here. I’ve got some great support around me and I’m realistic that there’s going to be some really good days, and days that the realities of travel and rugby and stuff are difficult.
“But I think that’s part of the whole journey. Part of doing what we do is that whole rollercoaster.”
The Wallabies launch their tour with a game against Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend and they end their trip at Principality Stadium on 26 November.
