Michael Hooper will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championship

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed that flanker and captain Michael Hooper will not return for the rest of the Rugby Championship.

Hooper withdrew from the opening game of the tournament in Argentina due to personal reasons and will not return for the tests against New Zealand.

Rennie confirmed that Hooper will not feature in the immediate future and is 'on the improve'.

“I’ve had plenty of contact with Hoops, I’m not going to comment on where he’s at and what that looks like, we’re not looking to include him in the rest of the Rugby Championship,” Rennie told reporters.

“We’ll make decisions beyond that, but certainly not looking to rush him in. But he’s certainly on the improve.”

While Rennie gave no return date for Hooper, he could return for the Wallabies' end-of-year tour to the Northern Hemisphere where they will feature against Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

“I caught up with him when I got back (to Australia), it’s obviously a bit weird not hearing his voice in here right now but he will eventually be back in," hooker Dave Porecki told reporters.

“The boys are supportive, with respect, that’s probably all I’m going to say on it.”

Young flanker Fraser McReight has taken over in the number 7 jersey since Hooper's departure and produced a standout performance in the opening game against Argentina as well as the victory over South Africa.

In his three starts, he has scored three tries, made 23 tackles (one missed), and has gained 82 running metres from 18 carries.

The Reds star revealed that he has also been in contact with Hooper. 

"He texted me after the game and brought up the two tries I got so he's probably sitting at home wishing he had scored those," McReight said after last week's win in Adelaide.

"I miss him and I want to keep learning off him as he's one of the greats so hopefully he comes back soon."