Wallaby legend Michael Hooper retires from rugby after failing to make Olympic team

Australia's most-capped rugby captain decided to try his hand at sevens after he was controversially left out of Eddie Jones' squad for the World Cup

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has announced his immediate retirement from rugby after missing selection for the Australian sevens side at the upcoming Paris Olympics. 

Hooper's bid to make the sevens team was hampered by a string of calf and achilles niggles as well as an inflamed pubic bone, with the latter ruling him out of the final lead-up tournament in Spain - his last chance to impress coach John Manenti.

Australia's most-capped rugby captain of all time decided to try his hand at sevens after he was controversially left out of Eddie Jones' squad for Australia's horror Rugby World Cup campaign in France. Following that disappointment, Hooper joined Australia's rugby sevens squad in a bid to cap off his glittering career with an Olympic gold medal.

After featuring in the Singapore and Hong Kong sevens world series legs for Australia, Hooper was ruled out of the final Madrid tournament through injury. And Hooper announced that he had not made the final Australian squad for Paris.

"What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career," Hooper wrote in a post to Instagram. "To the Aussie Sevens team, I wish you all the best you've been an awesome, helpful, and talented group of athletes to be part of.

"As for my time in Australian Rugby, I'm grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout. We've shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories. Thank you."