Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has backed his new captain Michael Hooper to lead the team through to the 2019 World Cup and predicts he will be at his peak by then.

The NSW Waratahs openside flanker replaces long-serving Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, who has stepped down from the role ahead of his international retirement at the end of the season.

Hooper has experience as skipper, having first stepped in when hooker Moore was injured in 2014 and he also led the team in this year’s opening two Tests in June when Moore was benched.

A veteran of 68 Tests at age 25, flanker Hooper’s first assignment after getting the role fulltime will be to lead the Wallabies in this month’s Bledisloe Cup clashes with the world champion All Blacks.

Cheika admires the brazen attitude of Hooper said it was a straightforward choice.

Asked if Hooper would pilot the team through to the World Cup, Cheika said, “Definitely.

“I think that when we get to the World Cup, Hooper is going to be pretty much at his peak as a player (at) 27, 28.

“He will have had a few years experience as the official captain within the team and I expect him to improve as a player as well in that time..

Cheika said the biggest pre-requisite of leadership was to enjoy respect and he emphasised Hooper had that not just from his peers, but all the way down to the juniors.

“The way he plays the game and the way he stands up for his colours and and for his values is really quite exceptional and I think thats what made him the standout choice,” Cheika said.

Hooper, who has captained the Waratahs for the past two seasons, said he had learnt a lot over the past couple of years and was better equipped to be Test skipper now.

He said he was honoured but surprised by his appointment.

“When this came across in front of me it was a bit of a shock and I’m really excited about the challenge ahead,”; Hooper said.