Stephen Moore retains Wallaby captaincy

Stephen Moore will retain the Wallabies captaincy, but coach Michael Cheika says the veteran front rower faces stiff competition for his place in the side.

Cheika has lauded the improving captaincy of Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper and revealed he was considering leadership roles for the Reds' Samu Kerevi and Rebel Sean McMahon.

He expected to choose at least a "couple of newbies" in his squad but had no intention of changing his skipper for the three June Tests.

Moore's form was called into question earlier in the season, but Cheika said the veteran hooker was playing well in his own unobtrusive fashion.

"He's not going to chip over the top, regather and throw a dummy and score, that's not his thing," Cheika said.

"His thing is in-tight, leadership, being aggressive, that's what I want from him.

"I think he's doing that for the Reds, he's being very abrasive in there and getting stuck in.

Among those also in contention for the Wallabies' hooking role are the Western Force's Tatafu Polota-Nau and Waratah Tolu Latu.

While guaranteeing Moore's retention of the captaincy, Cheika said openside flanker Hooper, who has done the job on a part-time basis in the past, had improved out of sight this year as the Waratahs' skipper.

Hooper revealed he had received help from a professional leadership company.