Australia skipper Michael Hooper pulls out of Argentina clash

Australia captain Michael Hooper has pulled out of the Rugby Championship opening game against Argentina due to personal reasons.

Hooper was part of the matchday squad named by head coach Dave Rennie for the Saturday's encounter to be played in Mendoza but now will return back to Australia.

"While this decision did not come easily I know it is the right one for me and the team at this point in time," Hooper said in a statement released by Rugby Australia.

"My whole career I've looked to put the team first and I don't feel I am able to fulfil my responsibilities at the moment in my current mindset."

In the absence of Hooper, Rennie has named prop James Slipper as the captain while Fraser McReight will start at openside for the clash against the Pumas.

Hooper has played 121 times for the Wallabies scoring 110 points in it. He was appointed the full-time captain of the side during the 2017 Rugby Championship succeeding Stephen Moore and was part of their 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup campaigns.