Beale injured, Hooper announces retirement » allblacks.com

Hooper, who was trying to make the Australian rugby sevens team for the Olympics, announced on social media that his bid had ended when he missed out on the squad.

“What an adventure! My Olympic journey is over, and with it, my career as an Australian rugby player.”

A veteran of 125 Tests and, at 23, the youngest player to captain the team, he reached 100 Tests for Australia and captained the team a record 69 times. He played his final Test last year, against South Africa, before moving to Sevens.

Hooper made his Test debut in 2012 against Scotland.

After starting out in Super Rugby with the Brumbies, he moved to the Waratahs in 2013 and shared the Waratahs’ Super Rugby title in 2014. He is a four-time John Eales Medal winner.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said Hooper was an “incredible player and ambassador” for the game.

“He leaves a legacy that will make him one of the greatest to wear Wallabies gold and a firm favourite with Australian fans.”

Over the weekend, Beale suffered an Achilles tendon injury while playing for his Sydney club Randwick.

The extent of his injury will be seen after scans on Monday but it is a blow to the 95-Test veteran who had hoped to return to Test rugby against Wales on Saturday.

Prospective fullback Andrew Kellaway said: “It’s horrible to see, but for KB, I grew up watching him and finally playing with someone I now consider a close friend; it sucks to see afterwards let him be back on the edge of where he used to be.

“We were all delighted to have him back and, touch wood, it’s not too bad.”