Assigned to captain the Wallabies to the World Cup, veteran hooker Stephen Moore says he’ll lead by example.

Moore, 32, received the nod as captain going into the 2015 international season from coach Michael Cheika on Monday ahead of incumbent skipper Michael Hooper, who was named vice-captain along with Adam Ashley-Cooper.

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The appointment comes a year after Moore was originally given the honour by former coach Ewen McKenzie, only for a serious knee injury to strike him just moments into his debut Test as skipper against France in Brisbane.

That injury ruled him out for the remainder of 2014 but Moore said he felt refreshed and ready to embrace the role once more, as the Wallabies take their first steps on the road to World Cup in England and Wales in September-November.

“I didn’t get much of a crack at it last year so I’m getting many of the same feelings and emotions that I had last year,” Moore said.

“I missed out on all the games last year so for me personally, I feel really fresh mentally.”

Moore was not making any big predictions for the looming Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup contests or for the World Cup, and he indicated that “actions speaking louder than words” style would also mark his captaincy.

“It starts with my performance and I know first and foremost that is the way I like to lead,” said Moore.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said it was Moore’s seniority, experience and respect amongst the playing group that got him over the line.

But it wasn’t until Cheika sat back and watched his players mingle across the opening two days of their training camp on the Sunshine Coast that the decision was made.

“I just liked the way he went about his business there,” Cheika said.

“And I’ve liked everything I’ve heard when other players talk about him, the way he talks about looking out for the team, and also preparing for his own performance.

“It’s not just leading by chat or talk, it’s leading by example as well.”

Cheika said the move does not necessarily mean a “step back” for Hooper, who took over the captaincy following Moore’s injury last year.

As vice-captains, Hooper and Ashley-Cooper will remain key figures behind the scenes as Cheika endeavours to repair the one facet of the Wallabies set-up he believes needs the most immediate fix.

“Leadership’s going to be a really big part of this Australian team becoming better,” Cheika said.

“Probably some of the areas we’ve let ourselves down in the past have been decision-making, on-field, when to do what, believing in ourselves.

“All those types of things come from strong leadership and it starts from the players in those roles.”

– AAP