Wallabies captain Michael Hooper says Australia will be just fine for wingers at next year’s Rugby World Cup despite losing Test incumbent Nick Cummins.

The Australian Rugby Union on Friday granted Cummins a special release from the final year of his contract on “compassionate grounds”.

The 15-Test Wallaby, who started in all three matches of Australia’s recent clean sweep of France, will join Japanese club Coca Cola West Red Sparks next year after also being released from his Super Rugby deal with the Western Force.

Cummins follows 2011 World Cup wingers Drew Mitchell and Digby Ioane – who are both playing in France – in leaving Australian rugby, while the ARU also cut James O’Connor loose last year.

Another former Wallabies winger, Queensland Reds flyer Rod Davies, will head to France after the Super Rugby season.

But with O’Connor set for a return next year, Joe Tomane and Peter Betham on the comeback trail from injury and Fijian-born talent Henry Speight to become eligible for the Wallabies in September, Hooper said Australia had enough depth to cope without Cummins.

Wallabies vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper is Australia’s other incumbent winger, with his NSW Waratahs teammate Rob Horne also in coach Ewen McKenzie’s thinking after starting on the bench in the third Test against France.

“Nick’s obviously a loss but the gap opens up and then it’s filled by someone,” Hooper said on Friday.

“There’s plenty of fast guys around and guys who will think that spot’s open so they’ll want it.”

Hooper said he respected Cummins’ decision.

“Everyone’s an individual and has got to do what’s right for themselves,” he said.

“As a group, he’s an integral part but I think everyone can understand, everyone’s happy with the fact he’s made a decision on behalf of himself and he’ll be happy with that.

“So there’ll be no issues in the team with it.”