Hooper is our Captain Indestructible

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WHEN he was 18 years old, Michael Hooper suffered an ankle injury that prevented him playing for the Australian under-20s side in Argentina.

He has never missed a minute of rugby through injury since.

Given the heavy involvement that typifies Hooper's performances in Super Rugby and at Test level, and the physical demands on his body, it is an extraordinary run.

At the risk of jinxing the 22-year-old, if anyone can defy the curse of the Wallabies captaincy it is Hooper.

James Horwill, David Pocock, Will Genia and now Stephen Moore have all succumbed to serious injuries while holding the title in the past two years.

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But Hooper has become Mr Indestructible since he became a regular starter for the Brumbies in 2011, and teammates marvel at his capacity to play to exhaustion in matches and then bounce into the next training session as though he's returned from holiday.

If the Wallabies are to finally mount successful Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship and World Cup campaigns, they need stability at the top.

It has been lacking in recent years due to the carousel of captains taking charge after the unfortunate series of injuries.

It would be a seriously dire situation for Australia if Hooper was to also suffer injury this year.

Hooper is younger and has only two more starts than new Wallabies vice-captain James Slipper, but has won the Wallabies' rookie of the year and John Eales medal in successive seasons since his debut.

Michael Hooper dives over to score a try during the first Test against France at Suncorp Stadium. Source: Getty Images

Slipper played his 50th Test last weekend and is smart and capable, but Test captaincy would lump enormous pressure and responsibility on a player who has only solidified his position as Australia's best loosehead in the past 12 months.

Slipper has enough on his plate trying to convince international referees that the Wallabies' scrum is not inferior in big games.

The team's other vice-captain, Adam Ashley-Cooper, is a brilliant communicator and has seen it all in his 92-Test career but there is a reason why wingers don't captain international teams.

Ashley-Cooper has been named by Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie as a back-three option and with Tevita Kuridrani continually improving at outside centre, it appears he will remain on the wing through to the World Cup.

So much weighs on the young shoulders of Hooper.

Hooper pops a pass to reserve scrumhalf Nick Phipps as he rides the tackle of winger Yoann Huget. Source: AP

But since he had one of those shoulders fixed back when he was in Year 12 at Chatswood's St Pius X, Hooper has handled that weight with unassuming ease.

Hooper could have opted against the surgery in 2009 — his only other serious injury — and played for the Schoolboys team before undergoing the operation at the end of the year.

But the Brumbies had already indicated they wanted him on board the next season, in a largely developing role.

Hooper calculated that he was better off taking the year off, and played no rugby in his final year of school.

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He had a two-day schoolies weekend before joining the Brumbies in pre-season training, learning from their greatest ever No.7, George Smith.

It is ironic that Hooper made his Super Rugby debut after Smith was forced to miss a game through injury. It was the first time Smith had missed a match in 60 starts, and he only missed two in his illustrious Brumbies career.

Perhaps Smith's resilience rubbed off on Hooper, who is now in his fourth year at the top level and despite clocking up some of the busiest statistics in that time, has been immune to injury.

McKenzie and the rest of the Australian rugby fraternity will be hoping that resistance continues, so Hooper's leadership skills can develop in line with his playing ability.

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Amelie chasing a slam dunk for Murray

PLAYING for Grand Slam titles, not playing the gender card, is what excites Amelie Maursemo about coaching defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.

Murray on Monday appointed the French former world No.1 as coach for his grass-court season, which starts at Queen's this week.

"It's not really interesting for me, this part of the story, to be honest," Mauresmo told reporters in Paris when asked about the dynamics of a woman coaching a top-10 men's player.

"All I'm interested in is to be able to help him in his goals. He wants to win more Grand Slams."

Mauresmo, who admitted she was surprised when Murray approached her, said they would reassess the arrangement after Wimbledon, but she was reluctant to travel with him full-time.

"If it's half-time, half a year, that's not bad," Mauresmo said.

"Yes, it will change a little bit my life and my retirement. But I'm passionate. I'm passionate about this sport. I love challenges.

Andy Murray will join forces with Amelie Mauresmo for the start of the grass-court season. Source: AFP

"I guess I like to put myself on the line at some point and see what I can do."

Murray said during the French Open, where he lost in the semi-finals to eventual champion Rafael Nadal, he had no qualms about appointing a woman as coach.

"I don't really care whether some of the other male players like it or not," he said last week.

"I was coached by my mum for a long time. I have had her around at tournaments for a long time.

"There has been ex-players and stuff that have said, 'oh, your mum shouldn't be around or she shouldn't come and support you or come to watch'.

"It's silly. Everyone is entitled to have the team around them that they want.

"Some men might not work well with a female. Some men might work well with a female coach. It's just whatever your preference is and whatever your needs are."

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Hunt celebrates as Broncos roll Raiders

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MALIGNED halfback Ben Hunt has celebrated his stunning rise to Queensland's Origin ranks, steering the Broncos to a 28-4 thumping of the Raiders in Canberra.

If there is tangible evidence of Brisbane's growth over the past year, it is Hunt, who just 12 months ago was stuck behind Peter Wallace on the interchange bench.

RATE THE BRONCOS

But tomorrow, Hunt, 24, will join four of his Broncos teammates at his maiden Origin camp after guiding Brisbane to their fifth consecutive road triumph.

Broncos backrower Sam Thaiday in action. Source: News Corp Australia

The last time the Broncos achieved that, they won the premiership in 2006. And by next weekend, after receiving a bye, the Broncos, currently sixth, could be sitting pretty at the top on percentages.

But the real triumph is Hunt. While only an extended member of Queensland's 22-man squad, it is sweet reward for a man who once wondered if he would ever get a crack at his beloved halfback spot.

Glen Buttriss of the Raiders is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Hunt was initially picked as cover for Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans (knee), but Josh Papalii's ankle injury could see him claim a bench spot for Origin II.

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"I'm just over the moon," Hunt said after Brisbane's clinical win.

"I never expected this to happen so I'll give it everything I've got.

"I'm just going to go into camp and try and learn as much I can off the great players.

"I'll prepare like I am going to play and if I get put in there, I will do my best for the team."

Corey Parker of the Broncos is tackled. Source: Getty Images

Since replacing Wallace this season, Hunt has been a revelation, giving Brisbane's attack shape, creativity and the ability to score points.

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin lauded Hunt's emergence as a bona fide NRL playmaker on a night where Brisbane were ruthlessly clinical and defensively stoic.

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"He's benefited from a lot of hard work and put himself in the picture for Queensland, which is great news," Griffin said.

"We made a decision in round 20 last year to change course and all the credit has to go to Ben, he's stuck with us.

"I told him we would give him a go and he's worked his backside off, he's earned everything he's got.

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"It's always a tough task coming down here, but we stuck at it, it got messy, but it was great reward for the boys after that effort.

"It's just nice to win, if you are going to get some momentum you have to get your wins on the road and we've done that."

Dale Copley of the Broncos is congratulated after scoring. Source: Getty Images

Buoyed by a Dale Copley double, the Broncos bolted to a 12-0 half-time lead and went on with the job against a Canberra side as flat as a punctured tyre.

The only downside was prop Josh McGuire being placed on report twice for separate tackles on Paul Vaughan (43rd minute) and Anthony Milford (67th).

For Milford, facing his future club, it was a bitter-sweet night. Like Hunt, the Broncos-bound custodian received the nod for the injury-hit Maroons, but he struggled to find his mojo and was outpointed by Ben Barba.

Broncos winger Daniel Vidot. Source: News Corp Australia

To ice the cake, Barba made his first clean line break of the season, slicing through eight minutes from time to post his second try of the season.

Canberra had as many gears as a six-year-old's toy scooter. Brisbane kept rolling through the middle and when McGuire dummied his way through, looking more like Wally Lewis than a 106kg prop, the Green Machine hit neutral.

BRISBANE 28 (D Copley 2 B Barba A Glenn J McGuire tries B Hunt 3 C Parker goals) bt CANBERRA 4 (S Fensom try) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Adam Devcich, Adam Gee. Crowd: 8,094.

Re-live the action in our blog:

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Boat comes in for Ferris twin sisters

Queensland identical twins Miller and Tyler Ferris have been selected to row for Australia. Source: Jeff Camden / News Corp Australia

MILLER and Tyler Ferris are twin sisters sharing a common dream.

The pair have recently been selected in the Australian squad to represent Australia at the World Championships in Germany and the Youth Olympic Games in China.

"It's been an idea in our head, but now it's a reality it's crazy," Miller, the older of the two by just a few minutes said.

"We've been training for states and nationals and now we're training to be the best in the world, it's surreal."

The 17 year olds will be rowing in the women's under 19's coxless four at the World Championships and the pair's event at the Youth Olympics.

The twins decided to take a gap year after they finished year 12 at St Margaret's in Brisbane last year where they were the first to ever win three consecutive First VIII Head of the River schoolgirl titles.

Unsure what to do after school, the duo decided to focus on their rowing and Tyler says they are starting to see the fruits of their labour.

"It's a reward for the past four months since we finished school because that is when we really started to step it up," Tyler said.

"We we're training hard at school and doing well there but we've stepped it up since that."

Miller had already been rowing for a year in high school before she convinced her sister to take up the sport.

Since that moment the two have rowed together in every boat.

"We've never really had to row in another pair, so neither of us knows what it is even like to row with someone else," Miller said.

"We have rowed for so long together, we have the same rhythm and we're in synch. I think being twins definitely helps that," Tyler said.

While the two admit they have the odd argument mid race, they compare themselves to Alisa and Lysandra from the reality show; The Block.

"We will yell at each other and then we'll be over it in 10 seconds." Miller said.

The duo row an incredible 20km a morning, six days a week, then find themselves in the gym for their afternoon session on most days.

"We're sticking to our normal training because our main focus is the coxless fours at the World Championships because it is a longer race," Miller said.

"We're then doing some extra sessions in our pair once or twice a week.

"It's good because the other people we are in the four with also do pairs so we can battle it out with them in the pairs at training."

The pair joke that not only do they share the same physical features, but often the same thought process.

"There are moments where we'll do something funny, like the exact same thing and then we just start laughing at each other," Tyler said.

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Roos blitz best Scott has seen

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NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott says last night's devastating third-quarter has removed his lid of expectations as the Kangaroos put a frustrating Richmond to the sword was "possibly" the best 30 minutes in his 100 matches at the helm.

But Scott said while "a big spray was on the tip of my tongue", he remained calm at half-time as the Roos erased their 35-point deficit in 10 scintillating minutes sparked by key forward Drew Petrie.

MATCH REPORT: ROOS COMEBACK LEAVES TIGERS DEVASTATED

It came after Scott substituted out Majak Daw and the avalanche of goals set up back-to-back North Melbourne victories for the first time since Rounds 2 through 4.

North will enter Saturday's roadtrip to Adelaide 7-4 and effectively two games safe inside the top eight after the 17.14 (116) to 13.10 (88) win at Etihad Stadium.

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"I won't be putting any ceiling on what we can do in a quarter of footy anymore,' Scott said last night.

"We were hoping to be back somewhere near level pegging at three-quarter time and I think we erased the margin pretty quickly.

"It's mixed emotions I suppose. Relief is one emotion that comes to mind. I thought it showed unbelievably resolve and character of our group.

"To be outplayed for most of the first half and to be able to respond and for your leaders to stand up and take control of the game, they exceeded my expectations in the third quarter."

Brent Harvey shares a laugh with Steven Morris. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Roos piled on the first 51 points of the third term and scored 8.1 from their first 11 entries, slicing the Tigers apart through total possession domination and deadly efficiency.

Scott heaped praise on former Tiger Robin Nahas who booted two goals and star midfielder Levi Greenwood.

The tagger started on Trent Cotchin and was then moved to first-half hero Dustin Martin as well as collecting 29 disposals.

Scott said Lindsay Thomas, a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness, was expected to return to face the Crows and star playmaker Daniel Wells was on track for a Round 15 return.

Full-back Scott Thompson could come under match-review panel scrutiny for a late hit on Jack Riewoldt and was suspended earlier this year for striking Travis Cloke.

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Your A-Z Guide to the World Cup

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LET the final countdown begin.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off on Friday and that means that sports fans, curious onlookers and everyone in between joins football fans in anticipation for the tournament, which kicks off on Friday.

So, here's how you'll sound smarter than your mates with your A-Z guide to the tournament.

MORE WORLD CUP NEWS

QUIZ, FEATURES, GALLERIES: OUR CUP COUNTDOWN CONTENT

SOCCEROOS SELECTOR: PICK YOUR FIRST XI

CHECK OUT OUR WORLD CUP INTERACTIVE – YOUR PORTAL TO MATCH REPORTS, VIDEO, LIVE COVERAGE AND STATS

WORLD CUP FANTASY

Brazilians paint a section of the Santa Marta shantytown, or 'favela', in Brazilian colors. Source: Getty Images

A is for… Alcides Ghiggia

Ghiggia scored the winning goal for Uruguay against a heavily favoured Brazil in the 1950 final (the Brazil players were given gold watches inscribed "For the World Champions" before the final was played). The defeat sent the host nation into mourning and the scars of 'the Maracanãzo' are still felt to this day. And guess who Brazil could face in the quarter-finals this year? Yep, Uruguay.

THE CURSE THAT STILL HAUNTS BRAZIL DESPITE FIVE TROPHIES

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B is for… Bern

For such an unassuming place, the Swiss city of Bern has played host to two of the most iconic World Cup matches in tournament history. During the 1954 finals, the "Battle of Bern" saw Brazil and Hungary carry on the fight after the final whistle and into the dressing rooms, while the "Miracle of Bern" saw Germany beat the seemingly unbeatable Hungarians in the final.

C is for… Conspiracy

The World Cup is fertile ground for conspiracy theories, from Mussolini's fiddling with referees in the 1930s to accusations of the Germans being doped to the gills against Hungary in the 1954 final. The most recent? Some alleged dodgy handiwork during the 2014 draw to place the USA, England and Australia – FIFA's most vocal critics of the 2018 and 2022 hosting process – into the hardest groups.

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D is for… Dogs

Man's best friend has had a chequered history in the finals. An unnamed mutt ran riot on the pitch during England vs Brazil in 1962 (even peeing on England's Jimmy Greaves when caught), while Pickles became the hero of a nation when he found the stolen Jules Rimet trophy hidden in a South London hedge.

E is for… Exit, A Quick

Unfortunately for the Socceroos, this looks like the most likely outcome after being drawn in the 'Group of Death' for the 2014 finals. A match against dark horses Chile hardly eases them into clashes against European powerhouses (and 2010 finalists), Holland and Spain. Australia have nothing to lose, so expect Ange Postecoglou's men to take some chances in pursuit of an upset.

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F is for… Fontaine, Just

France's Just Fontaine holds the record for the most number of goals scored in a tournament, finding the net 13 times in 1958. The feat was all the more impressive considering he completed it in a pair of his teammate Stéphane Bruey's boots as he didn't have the money to buy a replacement pair in host nation Sweden.

French Soccer player Just Fontaine. Source: Supplied

G is for… GBH

The finals has seen its fair share of thuggery disguised as football. Lowlights include neck-high kicks and roundhouses in 1962's Battle of Santiago, Claudio Caniggia being kicked out of his boot by Cameroon's Benjamin Massing in 1990 and Nigel De Jong leaving his studs in Xabi Alonso's chest during the 2010 final. And I think there was a head butt somewhere, too…

One of sport's most infamous pictures. Source: Supplied

H is for… The Hand of God

Diego Maradona's moment of infamy came in the 1986 semi-final against England, when he leapt high above Peter Shilton and scored the opener with "a little of the hand of God and little of the head of Maradona". After the 'goal' the Argentinian can be seen urging his teammates to run after him and celebrate for fear of the goal being disallowed by the referee. Scoring the greatest goal in the history of the tournament just moments later didn't stop the English from branding him a cheat. And they still do to this day…

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I is for… India

There have been some good excuses for teams not playing in the World Cup but few can top India's reason for pulling out of the 1950 finals: they didn't want to wear boots. The bare-footed Indians played brilliantly in the 1948 Olympics but the killjoys at FIFA stated all teams must wear boots and the Indians protested by leaving the tournament, despite being allocated a group in the Brazilian finals.

J is for… Jairzinho

'The Hurricane of 1970' wrote himself into World Cup folklore by scoring in every game of the 1970 tournament, the best of which was a brilliant individual effort in the final against Italy. He wasn't a bad judge of talent either, discovering a young Ronaldo in the early '90s and helping him get his first contract with Cruzerio.

West Germany captain, Franz Beckenbauer, holds up the 1974 World Cup trophy. Source: AP

K is for… Kaiser, Der

Few nicknames are more fitting than Franz Beckenbauer's monicker "The King". As Germany's most influential and classy player he came first, second and third in the three tournaments he played in, and also guided 'die Mannschaft' to two finals (and one victory) as coach, becoming the first man to win the trophy as both player and boss.

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L is for… Lionel Messi

He might be the greatest player of his generation but the little Argentinian will never be seen as an equal to Pele or Maradona unless he wins a World Cup. In 2010 he took a backseat to El Diego's sideline histrionics, but 2014 will see Messi front and centre in a quest to guide the albiceleste to a mouthwatering, all-South American final against deadly rivals Brazil.

M is for… Mwepu Ilunga

One of the World Cup's Benny Hill moments came courtesy of the Zaire defender Mwepu Ilunga, who suddenly burst out of the wall and blasted the ball upfield as the Brazilians were lining up for a free-kick. Everyone had a good laugh until it emerged sinister Zairean dictator President Mobutu had threatened the families of the players if they lost the game by more than four goals. Suddenly the joke doesn't seem so funny…

N is for… North Korea

North Korea weren't welcome in England for the 1966 finals, dumped in the North East and ignored at official functions. However the Sunderland locals took them to their hearts and were rewarded with one of the all-time shock results when Pak Doo-Ik's strike knocked two-time winners Italy out at the group stage. While Roker Park is no more, there is still a plaque placed on the spot the North Korean shocked the world.

O is for… Orsi

Italy striker Raimundo Orsi scored a spectacular winning goal in the 1934 final against Czechoslovakia but when the press claimed the outside of the boot shot was a fluke, he invited them to a training pitch the next day to prove them wrong. He missed all 20 attempts to score a carbon copy goal…

Pele is synonymous with the World Cup. Source: AP

P is for… Pele

Three-time World Cup winner. Politician. Ambassador. Part-time viagra salesman. Terrible pundit. Pele is known for many things but none more than being the greatest footballer of all-time. A force of nature from the moment he took the World Cup stage as a 17 year-old to his crowning glory as leader of the 1970 winners, 'O Rei' was Messi, Ronaldo and Aguero rolled into one. YouTube him, kids…

Q is for… Queen of England

HRH was said to have been given the finger by Argentinian Antonio Rattin after he was sent off in the 1966 quarter-final at Wembley. The albiceleste captain was reported to have been so incensed at being shown a red card, he planted himself on the red carpet in protest and raised a one-finger salute to the Queen.

R is for… Ronaldo

He may have been derided for his ever-expanding waistline and dodgy haircuts, but after Germany's Gerd Muller there isn't a better World Cup striker than Brazil's Ronaldo. The tournament's all-time leading goalscorer and two-time champion, his finest moment came in a Man of the Match performance in the 2002 final, where he scored twice in the victory over Germany.

Ronaldo of Brazil celebrates scoring the first goal past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn in 2002. Source: AP

S is for… shoot-out

The penalty shoot-out is the most exhilarating/depressing (delete where appropriate) way to win/lose a World Cup game. While penalties can be a lottery, there are two exceptions: face the Germans and you might as well go home (they have a 100% record in four shoot-outs), but get the English and you'll be laughing all the way to the next round (three shoot-outs, three losses).

T is for… Turn, The Cruyff

The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff may have only played in one tournament but he will always be remembered for what happened during a relatively non-descript 0-0 draw with Sweden in the 1974 group stages. It was here the 'Cruyff turn' was executed in a game for the first time, the Dutch master faking one way and then dragging the ball behind him with his instep to completely bamboozle defender Jan Olsson. (Don't worry, Jan – you might have been the first but you weren't the last to be beaten by that brilliant move.)

U is for… Upsets

The World Cup finals has had it fair share of upsets over the years: the USA beating the mighty England 1-0 in 1950, West Germany triumphing over the Magical Magyars in the 1954 final, North Korea seeing off Italy 1-0 in 1966… The opening match has a history of turning the form book on its head (Cameroon beating Argentina in 1990 and Senegal seeing off France in 2002) so don't bet against Croatia pulling a fast one on hosts Brazil this time around.

Rudi Voeller left heads the ball over Belgian defender Rudi Smits. Source: AP

V is for… Voeller, Rudi

The German striker's archetypal '90s mullet was the unfortunate recipient of not one, but two, balls of coughed-up gob from Dutch midfielder Frank Rijkaard during a tense second round match in 1990. The Dutchman took umbrage to the German's tumbling antics and twice launched a mouthful of flob at the astounded German, the second of which was caught beautifully by the TV cameras. Luckily there was no HD back then…

W is for… Wave, The Mexican

The annoying stadium phenomena was first spotted by observers during the match between hosts Mexico and Belgium at the Azteca Stadium in 1986. However, there has been some debate as to who invented the wave, with American hockey and college football also laying claim. While ownership can never be proven, if you look at how waves are usually started – by bored people with limited attention spans and no real interest in the subtleties of the game in front of them – it does seem more than likely to be an American invention.

A book for World Cup fans. Source: Supplied

X is for… X-Ray

Frenchman Patrick Battiston was in need of one of those see-through machines after a heinous assault by German keeper Harald Schumacher during the 1982 semi-final. Through on goal with just the keeper to beat, Battiston was met head-high by Schumacher's knee, leaving him with a cracked vertebrae and two fewer teeth than he started the game with. To add insult to injury, the goalkeeper didn't even receive a yellow card and went on to save two spot-kicks in the penalty shoot-out to send Germany to the final.

Y is for… Yellow and Red Cards

Cards, and sending offs, can play a big part in a team having a successful tournament; just ask the Socceroos how hard it was playing with ten men for more than a third of their 2010 tournament. Squad depth is vitally important in the modern-day World Cup, not just in dealing with going a man down but how the pack is shuffled with subsequent suspensions.

Z is for… Zinedine Zidane

One of the greatest players of modern times will always be remembered for what he did with his head at the World Cup. In 1998, he scored two almost identical headed goals from corners to steer Les Bleus to victory over Brazil in the final; in the 2006 final he was rather more unorthodox with his bonce, launching it into Italy's Marco Materazzi's chest and earning himself the most famous red card in to

Paul Hansford is the author of The World Cup. Heroes, hoodlums, high-kicks and head-butts published by Hardie Grant Books and onsale in Australia now for RRP $24.95.

I

Available in all good bookstores and online from Booktopia.

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Hooper is the Wallabies’ chosen one

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A SKATEBOARDING skipper who has never beaten the All Blacks must rise to that quest to provide any tonic for five-minute captain Stephen Moore in his ruined Wallabies season.

Coach Ewen McKenzie on Sunday restrained from anointing Michael Hooper as the Wallabies' youngest captain in 67 years, yet it will surely come in the next 24 hours.

The Moore shock was still too raw for the Wallabies camp, which had the afterglow of their 50-23 thrashing of France jolted by worse than expected news on his left knee.

"His whole year's gone," McKenzie said.

"He's obviously shattered. I thought he'd done a brilliant job in a short space of time in the week of the Test.

Stephen Moore receives treatment before he is forced to leave the field due to a serious knee injury. Source: Getty Images

"He and I worked well together. I was really pleased with the progress being made off the field and it leaves a bit of a void because we had a lot of stuff in the pipeline.'

A knee reconstruction for torn ligaments will ground the hooker for 13 Tests, including the end of season tour, after he was a core figure for all 15 of last year.

Not since Trevor Allan became Wallaby captain at 21 in 1947, when the indestructible Bill McLean broke his leg in England, has the Test leadership jumped to a player as young as Hooper.

The 22-year-old dynamo from Sydney's northern beaches should order iron knee guards because David Pocock (2012), Will Genia (2012) and now Moore (2014) have fallen to major ligament injuries in a cruel captain's curse.

As scene-setting as this French series is Moore didn't read the book, Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life, to find clues on beating Les Bleus.

Michael Hooper gets past French opposite number Bernard le Roux to dive over for a try out wide. Source: AP

The themes stuck "in the pipeline" are those he hadn't yet delivered to the team about the extras that champions do, team culture, humility and other standards.

Hooper will lead against France in Saturday night's second Test against France in Melbourne.

Moore's early exit at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night gave McKenzie a strong view on how Hooper could step up in tough times.

"He played outstandingly well and it didn't affect his playing, which is a part of it," McKenzie said.

"I can't think of many who play as consistently well as he does. I don't think I've seen him have an off day (in 29 Tests). He fronts up and is in every game.

"He's a lead-by-example sort of guy. That's a style (of leadership) I respect and he's highly regarded by the playing group."

Hooper's thrusts when running were as much a hallmark against the French as his tackling and presence on the ball.

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THE CAPTAINCY CURSE OF THE WALLABIES

2012: James Horwill misses Test season after hamstring surgery

David Pocock leads for five Tests before major knee injury v All Blacks

Will Genia leads for two Tests before major knee injury v South Africa

2013: Horwill misses two Tests after hamstring injury at training

Genia dropped for Nic White after one Test as captain

Horwill loses job to Ben Mowen

2014: Mowen forfeits Test captaincy by signing to play in France

Stephen Moore to miss Test season after major knee injury v France

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Roos comeback leaves Tigers devastated

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PERHAPS Dreamworld should consider introducing the North Melbourne roller coaster up on the Gold Coast.

Violently undulating and full of highs and lows, no one would have any idea what was coming next.

The Kangaroos last night took their up-and-down season to new extremes in a quite extraordinary demolition of Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

MATCH REPORT: ROOS COMEBACK LEAVES TIGERS DEVASTATED

ROOS BLITZ THE BEST SCOTT HAS SEEN

The rolling credits will say North won by 28 points to move to 7-4 and remain in the top eight. But the plot was packed full of the most savage of twists and turns.

A Roos side who has gone win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win since Round 4 last night showed their fans their best and worst in the same two-hour package.

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North Melbourne trailed Richmond by 36 points at the 28 minute mark of the second quarter and had more passengers than a jumbo jet. Unfathomably, 17 minutes later they took the lead, slamming on eight unanswered goals in a withering third quarter surge.

It was reminiscent of some of North's best offensive displays of recent years, but this was on a whole other level of power football. By the time the Tigers next scored, 23 minutes into the third quarter, it had been a 52-point turnaround in 22 minutes.

No one symbolised the dramatic turnaround like Drew Petrie, who went from one kick, no marks and scoreless at half time, to walking off with 14 disposals, six marks and 4.1. He would have finally slept well last night.

Drew Petrie and Brent Harvey inspired North Melbourne after half-time. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Levi Greenwood was again brilliant, and with Brent Harvey (25 disposals, 3.2), was the one player fighting against the tide in the first half. Greenwood is having some season and last night kept Trent Cotchin to 24 largely blunt disposals while racking up 29 himself.

But the bottom line is that much work needs to be done if this side is going to inflict any damage in September. At half time you wouldn't have been corrected for levelling any kind of accusation North's way.

The Roos were lazy, selfish, undisciplined and dumb.

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Lazy because they conceded 52 uncontested possessions and 40 uncontested marks.

Selfish because Majak Daw surged clear, but ran too far chasing glory and completely ignored Aaron Black on his own 30m out.

Undisciplined because Scott Thompson landed a roundhouse to the head of Jack Riewoldt as the Tiger forward marked at the top of the square.

Dustin Martin was excellent in the first half but faded. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

And dumb because they left Shaun Atley by the side of an isolated Dustin Martin, despite the Tiger ripping them apart en route to a 19 disposal, four-goal first half.

Brad Scott's furiousness was evident in the subbing of Majak Daw at half-time and you had the feeling he would have removed several more if he could. Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Leigh Adams had just seven disposals each. Nick Dal Santo nine and no tackles.

Richmond, it must be said, opened with an intensity we haven't seen for 12 months.

Scott Thompson gives Jack Riewoldt a clip over the ear. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The Tigers ran through a banner that demanded them to "Restore The Roar" and it wasn't long before it became apparent this was no hollow message.

With club greats Kevin Bartlett, Mal Brown and Dale Weightman in the commentary box, a Tigers of Old opening rocked North back on their heels.

Richmond assistant Mark Williams was so fired up he actually jumper punched Ben Griffiths as he ran to the bench to start the game.

Out on the ground Ty Vickery split open opponent Michael Firrito in the first 60 seconds and then held him on the ground in a head lock. Moments later Jake Batchelor took the opportunity to put his forearm into the head of Sam Gibson while spoiling.

Todd Goldstein was immense for North Melbourne in the ruck. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

North's first inside 50m didn't come until the 10 minute mark, but after hanging in for long periods, were able to somehow draw level by quarter-time.

A 10-minute stalemate to open the second term was broken by the Tigers, who in a 20-minute period played the sort of devastating football we thought we'd see far more often this season.

They kicked five straight and seven of the last eight of the first half, exploding to a 36-point lead. They did it on the back of a rampant Martin, who was the best player on the ground at half-time, the run of Bachar Houli (19 touches), the grunt of Matt Thomas (16) and the exuberance of debutant Anthony Miles (13).

They had out-hunted and out-worked North Melbourne with ruthless efficiency. They brutalised them on the outside, winning uncontested ball 143-91 while taking a staggering 40 more uncontested marks.

At half time this was Richmond's field of dreams. At the final siren, it was just another carcass in a desolate season.

VOTES

3 Levi Greenwood

2 Todd Goldstein

1 Dustin Martin

BEST

North Melbourne: Greenwood, Goldstein, Harvey, Petrie, Nahas, Swallow, Bastinac

Richmond: Martin, Houli, Thomas, Miles, Ellis

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Meat feast as Wallabies thump French

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THE five-minute captaincy trauma of hobbling Stephen Moore last night fast-tracked Michael Hooper into a rousing taste of Test leadership he is likely to keep for a full-series assault on the shell-shocked French.

Captaincy of the Wallabies was tentatively sketched for two years from now for flanker Hooper not after the single minute it took for Moore to cop a cruel twisted knee at Suncorp Stadium.

The Wallabies did not miss a beat with Hooper's follow-me style at the forefront of a resounding four-try, 29-9 statement by half-time and a 50-23 victory by the final whistle.

Fullback Israel Folau was a menace from his first 30m dash into the fractured French defence off a slick Bernard Foley cutout ball, prop James Slipper was superb in his 50th Test and debutant lock Sam Carter was a worthy physical and tackling presence.

Hooper was all tackling, driving, stout-legged running and breakdown energy. If he'd been wearing a French jersey, he would have been a blond, long-haired reincarnation of Jean-Pierre Rives, the wonderful flanker for Les Bleus in the 1970s and '80s.

Coach Ewen McKenzie said he sent out a message for Hooper to be captain ahead of fellow vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper although Hooper had a more playful spin.

"'Coopy' said I was closer to (referee) Craig (Joubert) and said 'You can have the job'. I said 'thank you'," Hooper said.

"Stephen put in such a good platform in the lead-up that it was just 'heads down and let's get going' for us all."

The impressive Wallabies did just that. They scored just six tries in as many Tests on home soil last season when they lost four of them.

They had scored that many by the 68th minute last night when McKenzie's promise that running rugby would be his side's calling card was invigoratingly true. A fifth straight win for the Wallabies is their best streak since the first five Tests of Robbie Deans' reign in 2008.

Hooker Moore badly twisted his left knee in an awkward tackle on French flanker Bernard le Roux inside the opening minute.

Moore wanted his 92nd Test to be a memorable one as leader of his country for the first time. Medical staff spent more than two minutes summing up his situation before strapping his left knee on the captain's demand.

He hobbled back into position but the crowd of 33,718 shared his pain as it quickly became apparent he would not be able to play on.

He helped out with two tackles close to the ruck before the tough decision to leave the field was made after just five minutes because he was playing on one leg.

Moore headed to scans post-match but with a medial ligament strain he is certain to be ruled out of the second Test in Melbourne and the third Test in Sydney on June 21.

Nick Cummins bagged some "meat" in the second half. Source: News Corp Australia

Hooper's first stamp as a captain was to attack rather than take an early pot at penalty goal. Folau's 11th Test try came with a lovely pirouettte out of tackle but it was set up by Slipper surging around No.8 Wycliff Palu and popping a pass fit for a five-eighth.

"He is a class player," France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said of the fullback. "He's a match-winner. He showed that tonight. "Australia were very strong in contact and won 70-80 per cent of the collisions.

"They were physical with a lot of urgency, and we panicked too much."

The best of the Wallabies tries was artful and full of clever angles. Inside centre Matt Toomua and Adam Ashley-Cooper threw sharp passes and Folau's well-timed run was finished by a switch to Nick Cummins.

"Seven tries is a good indicator of our intentions. I wanted a statement to reward the players for what they have put in this week," McKenzie said.

"Stephen's injury is definitely a medial ligament. What level we don't know and being slightly older the knee is going to be a bit looser.

"Very disappointing for him. You don't lie in bed at night imagining that is going to happen.

"Tatafu Polota-Nau did a great job coming in (for 75 minutes). Solving problems is what Test rugby is all about."

On his new Nic White-Bernard Foley partnership and Carter's strong debut, McKenzie was succinct: "Everyone did a good job and Sam's display was no surprise to me...he likes the physical parts and goes the 80-minutes."

A French deflection added Ashley-Cooper's try and Hooper's own touchdown was only awarded by South African referee Craig Joubert after video evidence convinced him to backflipped on his initial thought that a creative tap-on by centre Tevita Kuridrani had gone forward.

French wing debutant Felix le Bourhis fumbled the ball three times on his tryline from a poor pass on half-time to gift Toomua his try. It summed up a largely limp French effort that was hinted by a less than rousing singing of their famous anthem before kick-off.

Halfback Nic White's pass was long and precise and Foley was very good in terms of taking the ball to the line and directing.

Hitting 50 points impressively topped the 48-31 win over the 1990 French side at Ballymore as the highest total against Les Bleus on Australian soil.

It was focused, hungry and breathed team throughout.

Late in the game, Kurtley Beale came in off the bench, threw a nice long ball to Kuridrani and backed up inside for the seventh try.

The Wallabies scrum was good early when the biggest questions were going to be asked. French prop and captain Nicolas Mas was twice penalised.

Less inspiring was the second-string Wallaby front-row, with Pek Cowan and Paddy Ryan as props, splintering on full-time and conceded a penalty try to the French

The tourists ran from their own quarter in the opening 60 seconds but the French resistance was smashed by half-time with clinical try-strikes and some luck.

Relive the action from our Live Blog below and check out Match Centre of stats and video!

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French slaughter just the ticket

Michael Hooper is likely to assume the captaincy for the remainder of the series. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

AS they do in most matches, the French won the national anthem.

But from there, they always looked to be trailing a rather distant second.

Both the means and the result were precisely what the Wallabies, and rugby, needed to kick off the international season.

A victory and four tries would have been a satisfactory outcome after 80 minutes. But considering the half-time break had one looking a formality, and the other already completed, the occasion delivered more than could have been expected.

It was the stuff of a team that looks to have two vital components — talent in the ranks and purpose in their execution.

Their tries all contained elements which will have thrilled the coaching team. The most vital aspects were the support play, the awareness of the support and the off-loading that allowed that support to turn execution into points.

In recent seasons, at both provincial and international level, Australian teams have been a significant distance behind New Zealand sides in their off-loading ability.

With defences now so organised and disciplined, if a team is limited in the offload area their win-loss record will look very sickly.

The Wallabies appeared to be a side that have done a lot of work in this area, and the fact it paid off so handsomely will undoubtedly encourage them to do more.

In his 50th Test, Queensland Red James Slipper was a standout among the pack and debutant Sam Carter also indicated that he fits comfortably in the big time.

Kurtley Beale (L) came off the bench and scored a try in the second half. Source: Getty Images

But the man who made the most significant contribution was inside centre Matt Toomua.

One would be loathe to start throwing out comparisons with Tim Horan, but I'm not sure if any Wallaby No.12 since Horan was running around has contributed more to a win than Toomua did in the 63 minutes he was on the field.

His passing, both short and long, was impeccable, his vision and awareness of the players around him was precisely what is required of a world-class inside centre, defensively he was a rock and his ability to be in the right place at the right time suggests he learnt enormously from his time on the European tour last year.

An inside centre is clearly going to be reliant on what his halves deliver, and to that end the slightly controversial pairing of Nic White and Bernard Foley delivered as Ewen McKenzie might have hoped.

The depth that is needed for a successful international side is clearly beginning to emerge.

While McKenize is not one to get overly carried away after either the first or last game of the season, I'm sure he will have allowed himself a quiet smile behind closed doors on Saturday night.

The Australian cricket team were guests at the match and there will be hope the Wallabies can build on their first Test of the season, just as Michael Clarke's mob did after their win at the Gabba last November.

A reality check though. As they often are when they are away from home, the French's strongest area was their lethargy. The contest at the breakdown was, by and large, no contest.

The Wallabies won't have that luxury against the Springboks, Pumas and All Blacks in The Rugby Championship and may even be a different scenario in Melbourne next week.

France of one week can be completely different to France of the previous. For their growth, that is probably what this Wallaby side needs to confront.

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