The AUNZ Invitational match could be short of some serious firepower and household names after Wallabies great Michael Hooper turned down an invitation to play in the match.

It’s believed Hooper was officially asked to feature in the match last week, but the 33-year-old, who recently came out of retirement to play the second half of the Japanese League One season, turned down the opportunity.

Although the 125-Test stalwart has yet to comment on the subject, sources have told The Roar the former Wallabies captain informed RA officials of his position in recent days.

It’s understood that the disorganised nature of the match, where the coaching staff was only confirmed recently and no players have yet been unveiled, played a part in Hooper’s decision.

The decision will disappointment many, especially given Hooper was denied the opportunity to bow out of the Test arena on his own terms after missing Wallabies selection under Eddie Jones for the 2023 World Cup.

It also comes after his recent club coach in Japan, Ian Foster, who was announced as an assistant in the AUNZ coaching staff in late March, told the media that he was hopeful of having Hooper feature in the match.

It’s likely Hooper will be heard throughout the series though, with the respected back-rower previously transitioning into broadcasting with Stan Sport before his brief return to the rugby paddock.

Wallabies great Michael Hooper won’t take on the Lions 12 years after playing them. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

What effect the absence of some household names has on ticket sales remains to be seen, but RA insiders say they are pleased with how they are tracking almost five weeks out from the match.

While the clash isn’t a part of the three-match Test series, the unique nature of the game should attract millions of eyeballs. It’s why RA must make the most of the opportunity the match gives them to broaden its base of hardcore fans.

The match will be the first time in 36 years a combined Australian and New Zealand team has taken to the field, with the Lions previously beating them 19-15 in 1989.

Just who takes the field on July 12 remains to be seen, but it’s believed RA is confident of announcing a few All Blacks over the next week, with the process of securing players moving to its fourth and final stage: asking the clubs.

Foster previously said All Blacks great Aaron Smith and star fly-half Richie Mo’unga were targets.

While it’s understood Smith isn’t keen, his long-time understudy TJ Perenara has put his hand up.

Whether Mo’unga, who led Brave Lupus to back-to-back Japanese League One titles on Sunday with an 18-13 win over Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears, features remains to be seen.

The 31-year-old broke his hand during his side’s semi-final win over Dave Rennie’s Kobe, but that didn’t stop him from earning player of the match honours in Sunday’s final.

“I knew it wasn’t impossible to play this weekend, and obviously a final, it’s a no-brainer really,” Mo’unga said following the win.

“You want to give yourself the best chance to be part of something special.”

Given fellow All Black Beauden Barrett missed just a month earlier in the year with a broken hand, it’s more than likely that Mo’unga could also be back in time after some off-season surgery.

But whether he still has the appetite is another thing, especially given that Japanese clubs are notoriously cautious about lending players to international teams.

Fresh from taking out the Japanese League One competition, All Blacks star Richie Mo’unga’s place in the AUNZ side is unclear after breaking his hand. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

One person expected to line-up is Mo’unga’s teammate, Shannon Frizell, with the back-rower telling rugbyjpcom that he was “keen”.

“I’m talking to the (AUNZ) coaches and I’m still keen to play,” he said.

“It’ll be decided in the next few weeks. If they still want me to play, I’m definitely interested in appearing.”

Despite other Japanese-based Wallabies like Will Genia publicly declaring his interest in playing in the invitational game, it’s understood that RA will look to fill the majority of the spots from its own backyard.

The entire side isn’t expected to be formalised until the week or two leading up to the match, with Joe Schmidt needing to settle on his Wallabies squad before AUNZ coach Les Kiss can look at filling his team.

The AUNZ jersey is expected to be unveiled by mid-June.