Wallabies captain Michael Hooper talks up new forwards coach Dan McKellar's early impact

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is already talking up Dan McKellar's "hard nose" impact on a fresh faced forward pack that is aiming to execute coach Dave Rennie's "dark side" vision against France next month.

Brumbies coach McKellar has been handed control of Australia's forwards for 2021 after consistently delivering effective packs at Super Rugby level.

The camp on the Gold Coast has been Hooper's first time working with McKellar after years of trying to overcome his tricks as a Waratahs player.

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"He brings a bit of hard nose," Hooper told reporters on Friday.

"I've noticed that in the first couple of days in that role. He's got a solid track record there of being able to put together a maul and run a really effective ship and lead a good forwards unit... some of the bodies and the size of the people that we have in this environment, he's got more of that to play with and it's a natural progression.

"Guys just seem to get bigger the more levels you go up so he's probably licking his lips with some of the specimens he's got in here, in the room. Now it's about the vision, what do we want to do as a forward pack, how are we going to be on the field and he's got some really strong ideas around that. I think he's going to be able to deliver them with the team."

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Hooper said he was feeling sore after returning to some tough training following two weeks of hotel quarantine.

The 29-year-old flanker missed the Super Rugby season for a sabbatical in Japan where he relished packing down alongside longtime Test rival Kieran Read at Toyota Verblitz.

"My own training is definitely not where I need to be for some of these guys," Hooper said in preparation for the first of three Tests against France on July 7 in Sydney.

"I tell you what, you forget how big some of the units are here and some throwbacks.

"Sitaleki Timani being back in the group, Rob Leota – there's some big fellas here.

"There's a bit of a pack size change from what I've been used to in the last six months."

Rennie's wish for his Test team to develop a "dark side" personality received a boost on Friday when enforcer Lachie Swinton escaped a ban for foul play in Super Rugby.

Hooper had a simple way to measure if that ambition was to achieved this season.

"The way we'll see that is if other teams are talking about it," Hooper said.

"That's probably the best – and it's not about doing it for a game, it's about doing it for an extended period of time and part of something that's developed over time. You can't just put out one good game and then expect it."