Cheika has thrown his support behind Hooper after the 23-year-old was thrust into the role when Stephen Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury in June.

The Wallabies face the prospect of having up to five Australian captains in their squad for the World Cup in England and Wales next year.

Cheika is yet to formally install Hooper as a long-term leader but hinted at extending Hooper's tenure despite Moore and David Pocock's impending returns.

"Right now, I'll be truthful to you, I'm very happy with the job that Michael Hooper is doing," Cheika said.

"It's not going to be a presidential run-off or anything like that. It's going to be about deciding what's best for the team."

Hooker Moore's stint as Wallabies captain lasted just five minutes before disaster struck and he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in June.

The 92-Test star will make his playing comeback for the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby season and he will captain the team.

Hooper will resume his NSW Waratahs vice-captain role with Dave Dennis keeping his job as the leader of the Super Rugby title defence.

Hooper became Australia's youngest Test captain since 1961 when McKenzie appointed him as Moore's replacement.

"It's a strange situation because Stephen was picked by the previous regime and then it was unlucky for him," Cheika said.

"He's got outstanding leadership abilities and he's going to captain the Brumbies as well. Hooper won't be captain of the Waratahs but has done it and gives me a good option."

Hooper's brief tenure has been plagued by controversy and on-field struggles.

The Wallabies finished their spring tour of Europe with three consecutive losses, including a 26-17 defeat at the hands of England last weekend.

Hooper was in the job when the Kurtley Beale drama emerged, copping criticism for defending his teammate.

Hooper also had to stand tall when McKenzie quit after losing to New Zealand in October.

"It's a constant learning curve and this year there have been plenty of ups and downs, you've got to take plenty out of that," Hooper said.

"There have been some testing times and when you pull through it's great to sit with the guys. I captained some teams growing up, but I never set out for it.

"Having it this year has been fantastic and it's really opened my eyes."

The Wallabies have been forced to deal with leadership upheaval in recent years, using Moore, Hooper, Ben Mowen, James Horwill, David Pocock, Will Genia and Nathan Sharpe as captains.

Moore, Hooper, Horwill, Pocock and Genia are all expected to be a part of the Wallabies' World Cup campaign.

"I think it's good to have so many leaders, that's what really strong teams have," said Australia's most-capped captain George Gregan.

"It's a great sign for Australian rugby to have so many. There's a really strong sense of identity, it's not just driven by one man.

"The best form of leadership is your own actions. Whatever you ask your players to do, you have to do yourself and they'll follow you."

Hooper and Pocock could be battling for the No. 7 jersey with Pocock making his comeback from consecutive knee reconstructions and playing just five games in two years.

Pocock was rated as one of the world's best openside flankers before his knee buckled.

He will add outstanding strength to the Wallabies' back row, with Matt Hodgson, Sean McMahon and Liam Gill also vying for a spot.

Hooper has already played 42 Tests, starting in 36 of those and cementing his place as Australia's premier flanker.

"He's infallible in relation to his work rate and commitment to the cause," Cheika.

"He's growing as a leader all the time. He's taken on the captaincy in a difficult period and been able to come through it really well without it affecting his play.

"His actions and the way he plays the game speaks really loudly in the way he leads as a captain. The rest of the stuff he needs to learn will come along the way."