Selection cloud hangs over Wallabies co-captain

Wallabies co-captain Michael Hooper is at long odds to make the opening Bledisloe Cup contest against the All Blacks as he recovers from a calf injury.

Australia and New Zealand will go head-to-head on July 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for only the fourth time in rugby history.

Hooper was absent from Australia’s narrow loss to Argentina in the second Rugby Championship fixture after suffering the injury.

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However, that’s looking increasingly unlikely.

A call on his participation in the forthcoming home contest is expected to come soon from Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones.

“He wasn’t able to train today and we’ll need to make a medical assessment of him over the weekend and see whether he can participate in the game or not,” Jones said on Saturday.

“We’ve still got a week to go and calf injuries we tend to be more careful with their rehab than other injuries so medical staff are being pretty careful with him.”

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Taniela Tupou was named in the selection pool after his return to rugby by way of Australia A, playing last week in the team’s loss to Tonga.

“If he can get through some good training early in the week then he may be available for selection,” Jones said of Tupou.

With a contest with the in-form All Blacks just a matter of days away, Jones is scrambling to find the best combination for his backs.

Jones dropped fullback Tom Wright, utility back Reece Hodge, and backrower Pete Samu in the latest line-up.

Andrew Kellaway and Jordan Petaia are in the mix to wear the No.15 jersey.

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“We need to improve the team, we haven’t been good enough in the first two games so I’m still searching for what our best team is, that’s quite obvious,” Jones said.

“I’ve only had the players for a short time and I need to find out what our best combinations are so Kellaway and Petaia are definitely options at 15 and both have trained there this week.

“These games, as important as they are and certainly against New Zealand and the Bledisloe Cup we treat them with the utmost importance, but I’ve got to find out who the best 33 is for Australia and this is part of the process.”