He also knows that error will inevitably precede improvement; especially for a leader like him, who is still only 22.

The Wallabies flanker knows that as captain of a Wallabies side yet to convince critics of their World Cup credentials – despite winning 10 of its last 11 games – that plenty of commentary will come his way and not all of it will be warm and fuzzy.

But if Hooper is feeling pressure, he showed little of it in Sydney on the weekend as the Wallabies prepared to fly to South Africa on Monday to play the Springboks and then move on to Argentina to face Los Pumas.

Hooper has been instrumental in leading the Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title and the Wallabies. However, he recognises that being the best possible captain is a work in progress.

"I think I'm making better decision on the fields," Hooper says. "I'm happy with the way I am going there … communicating with players when things aren't going the way you want … to try to get things on track."

While Hooper reviews his calls after a game and will talk to Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, he says: "Certain things you have to experience to get better at."

Hooper has also spoken to former World Cup winning Wallabies captain John Eales, whose much-championed leadership was not free of errors when it began.

"He has an absolute mountain of knowledge," Hooper says. "I would be silly not to use it."

However, Hooper's willing to listen and learn from others is not a sign that he doubts his instincts under pressure.

Neither has he become shy to back himself, as he boldly did in the 12-12 draw against the All Blacks in Sydney when he opted to not take the three points on offer for two penalties nearing half-time, but to go for a try.

While not referring specifically to that call, Hooper says that with any of his decisions during a match: "You look back and go 'geez, if we had probably done that we could have had it' … It's easy to say in hindsight.

"What I try to do is … if I feel it was the right decision at the time, then it probably was depending on how our team was feeling and how the opposition are.

"If you are attacking the line really well, and your team has got their tails is up, you would be silly to not try and get your momentum."

Raise the issue of referee management and you raise a wry smile from Hooper, who says: "There is definitely an art to it.

"[In] the latter part of the Waratahs' season it was something I looked at with the coaching staff – how you can best get your point across and your team's point across without frustrating them and appearing to be annoyed.

"That is one of the biggest learns I have had. When you are a player it feels like you can just say what you want and carry on like a bit of a pork chop sometimes.

"But [as captain you] can't have that. You have to be pretty switched on and [it is] something I can get better at."

Asked of the two-way relationship a captain tries to have with a referee, Hooper says: "You have to understand, if he is going to penalise your team for doing something, then he has to be wiling to do it against the other team if the same situation occurs.

"That is [something] as a captain I would want … and if you try and tell him you are going to minimise those [points a referee calls up], he should be happy. But you don't want to get him off side and controlling your players – halfbacks especially,

"I understand they have a very hard job to do. I hope they see that as respect. To a certain extent you have to let them try and do their best without you carrying on."