What we really need is the supporting cast that helped make these captains who they were.
In 1991 Farr-Jones had Lynagh, Poidevin, McCall, McKenzie, Kearns not to mention youngsters like Horan and Eales.
In 1999 Eales almost had too many good leaders in the team to mention. Pretty much the whole team.
For much of Hooper's time as captain we've struggled to have any alternative captains in the side let alone a good stable of leaders to support him. Earlier this season several journos were seriously suggesting Nic White as an alternative which I think gives a pretty good indication of the problem. Hooper has grown into the role immensely over the journey but was clearly too inexperienced at the start. The problem was there was no one else.