Farr-Jones also believes the Wallabies can "set the sails" for World Cup success with a strong spring tour of Europe, despite the hangover of Ewen McKenzie's departure and the Kurtley Beale drama.

Hooper came under fire for his handling of the Beale saga and a dramatic two weeks which led to McKenzie quitting his post as coach.

But Farr-Jones believes the 22-year-old is still learning his craft, backing Hooper to challenge protocols and forge a leadership path.

"I think [Hooper] is doing a terrific job, captaincy is half leading by example and you learn that as you go," Farr-Jones said.

"You have to be your own person and from what I've observed of [Hooper] he is his own man and he's doing a very good job for a young guy,

"Occasionally I spoke out against the ARU and you've got to let your thoughts be known. Too often we follow what we perceive to be protocol.

"I played as an amateur so you called it how you saw it. I just think in sport we should almost draw a line to let the sporting guys call things the way they see it."

Hooper has been thrust into the captaincy in a turbulent time for the team, with new coach Michael Cheika taking charge of his first match against the Barbarians on Sunday morning.

However, the Wallabies could be bolstered by six Test captains in their World Cup squad next year should Stephen Moore and David Pocock recover from knee reconstructions.

Former skippers Will Genia and James Horwill are also part of the current Wallabies squad.

Horwill is reportedly on the verge of a deal with English club Harlequins. But Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham said negotiations were ongoing.

Should Horwill sign with Harlequins, it could open the door for former NSW Waratahs Kane Douglas to return to Australian rugby.

"You always want to keep world-class players in your system and at the Reds," Graham said.

"But you understand the times and opportunities given ... Jim Carmichael and James have had discussions and I'm comfortable with where that is at the moment."

Cheika backed Hooper as captain, opting to keep the young Waratah despite recent criticism and declaring

Pocock hasn't played a Test in two years and has only played five Super Rugby games in the past two seasons.

"He's been under the heat and it hasn't been an ideal situation for any skipper ... [the captaincy] is definite," Cheika said.

Moore replaced Ben Mowen as captain for the mid-year Test series against France, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first five minutes of his tenure.

"I was lucky enough that the team I captained to win a World Cup [in 1991] was full of leaders," Farr-Jones said.

"It's good to have people around you calling shots in different aspects of the game … you can delegate and share the load, it can only help if all of those captains are involved."

The Wallabies will start their tour against the Barbarians before taking on Wales, France, Ireland and England.

"We'll set the spinnakers [for the World Cup] in September next year, but this will set the sails and build momentum in the right direction, that's important," Farr-Jones said.

"Cheika will get to know his players … a five-week tour gives him a fantastic opportunity for the guys who don't know him to find out what he's about. The need to sacrifice … that's critical for a World Cup.

"I've never thought it was doom and gloom … these guys are certainly capable. Fifteen months out from the World Cup in 1991 we weren't going too great, but you can dig yourself out of that very quickly."