Wounded Wallabies lose ‘Hoops’ for Wales duel

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Michael Hooper has been ruled out of the clash between Australia and Wales in Cardiff on Saturday with concussion, the Wallaby flanker joining an already lengthy injury list.

The loose forward displayed symptoms of concussion following a 13-10 loss for the Wallabies to Ireland in Dublin last week and will now miss the Australians’ final match of their European tour.

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His absence is a fresh blow to Australia coach Dave Rennie, who is already without six players following injuries sustained in the narrow defeat in Dublin.

Andrew Kellaway, Hunter Paisami, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini and Nic White had already been sidelined prior to the confirmation of Hooper’s head injury. Rennie is due to announce his team to play Wales on Thursday.

Hooper, 31, returned to Test action in last month’s tour-opening 16-15 win against Scotland in Edinburgh, with his previous international appearance coming in a series-deciding loss at home to England in July.

The Wallabies’ most capped skipper withdrew on the eve of a Test against Argentina in August, saying he was not in the “right mindset” to lead his country.

Hooper then sat out the remainder of the Rugby Championship before being included in the squad for the tour of Europe.

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© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Dave Hunt/EPA

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Devin Hermanus