Co-captain Michael Hooper will likely be left out of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad, local media reported, a move that could end the veteran’s Test career.

The 125-Test Australia flanker has been in doubt for the tournament, which starts in September, since picking up a calf injury earlier this year.

Head coach Eddie Jones is due to unveil the 33-man squad later on Thursday and is widely predicted to favour a host of younger players unscarred by the Wallabies’ struggles in recent years.

Asked recently if Hooper, 31, would make the cut, Jones told reporters to “just wait and see”.

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Scrumhalf Tate McDermott, who led the Wallabies for the first time over the weekend in a plucky defeat to New Zealand, is in line to take over from Hooper as captain.

“Certainly he’s one of the strong candidates,” Jones said regarding the 24-year-old Reds product over the weekend.

Jones has been bullish about Australia’s chances at the World Cup, hosted by France, despite losing four games in a row since replacing out-of-favour New Zealander Dave Rennie.

Australia comfortably produced their best performance of Jones’ second stint in charge in Dunedin last Saturday, leading the All Blacks 17-3 at half time before falling behind in the dying minutes of a 23-20 defeat.

Asked recently if he felt his eighth-ranked side could win at the World Cup, Jones replied: “One hundred percent, in fact I think we will, mate”.

“I think we’re definitely moving in the right direction, but we’ve got to win games.”

© Agence France-Presse

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