Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has vowed to learn from "testing times" as Australia's Test leader, promising to always put the team first while he is in the role.
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However, the 23-year-old is refusing to contemplate long-term leadership ambition beyond Australia's spring tour of Europe after replacing the injured Stephen Moore in June.
Hooper copped criticism for his handling of the Kurtley Beale text message drama which engulfed Australian rugby last month.
New coach Michael Cheika has endorsed Hooper as the man to guide the Wallabies this year and the NSW Waratahs flanker is only at the start of a rising international career.
Speaking for the first time since Ewen McKenzie quit as coach, Hooper said he would use the unsettled period as a valuable learning lesson for his future.
"I had a really good group around me, and you're able to try to put your best foot forward for the weekend," Hooper said.
"It was a trying time, but a learning curve and a learning situation that I will look back on in years to come.
"I don't read that much media so we had to band together as a group, it was testing times and hearing the laughter out here [at training before playing Wales], you can see that we're tight."
Hooper has been thrust into leadership duties in the past six months, first with the Waratahs when Dave Dennis was injured and then for Moore in the national side.
It's been an education for the star No. 7, who has led from the front on the field and helped lead the Waratahs to a Super Rugby title.
He has also been given the task of taking charge for the start of Cheika's tenure and was in the role when McKenzie quit following in the wake of t the Beale controversy.
But Hooper said the Wallabies could separate off-field dramas and on-field performance to focus on rebuilding pride under Cheika's guidance.
Asked if he was enjoying the captaincy, Hooper said: "It's great, it's enjoyable to have impact on the team and influence around the outside of it.
"It's something I'm enjoying and something I'm learning at. I've been put into it unexpectedly a few times and it's great having Cheik here, he's a great mentor for me in the past year.
"I'm looking forward to growing relationships with players and staff in the group."
The Wallabies have cycled through plenty of captains in the past three years, including James Horwill, David Pocock, Moore, Ben Mowen and Will Genia.
McKenzie appointed Moore as Mowen's successor, but the experienced hooker lasted just five minutes in his first Test as captain before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Hooper stepped up and it is not known if Moore will be slotted back into the role when he makes a comeback next year.
"Right now I'm just focusing on week-to-week, you've got to stay in the team," Hooper said.
"I've got to keep performing to stick my spot, then next year will come around and you hope everyone's fit. Then it's best man for the job."
Pocock is also aiming for the World Cup after playing just five games in two seasons following two knee reconstructions.
Australia's openside flanker depth has been questioned in the past, but if fit, Cheika will be forced to choose between Pocock, Hooper, Matt Hodgson and rookie Sean McMahon for No. 7 duties.
McMahon, 20, made his Test debut against Wales on Sunday morning while Pocock was rated as one of the world's best players before suffering injury disaster.
"A guy who can grab the opportunity like that is ready for the task," Hooper said of McMahon.
"There's always competition for the No. 7 jersey … when you get everyone fit there's going to be some really exciting games to try to hold your spot."
