When should Mortlock be replaced as captain?
Roar Pro
By Peter K, 6 Sep 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- captaincy, Giteau, Gregan, Stirling Mortlock
One of the reasons George Gregan was allowed to continue past his use by date was that a replacement captain had not been groomed. It seemed we needed Gregan for his direction and influence. But I disagreed. We should have gotten rid of him anyway.
So we should not make the mistake twice.
Mortlock is still the world’s premier outside centre, but for how long? I believe we should choose a captain who, barring injury, is certain to hold his position.
Mortlock is not that person.
At his age he may no longer deserve his spot, as was the case with Gregan. Mortlock also lacks certain qualities as a captain. Too many times we have had hidings with him as captain.
We have also lost too many games in the last ten minutes, too many close games.
We need to replace Mortlock as captain in sufficient time so that an experienced captain can lead the side come 2011.
Ideally a new captain should be blooded on the Northern Hemisphere tour rather than the tougher Tri-Nations.
So it needs to be now or next year.
There are only three players who could reasonably be expected to hold their place until 2011: Giteau, Smith and Horwill.
Smith would be the least certain because he is competing for only one position, number 7, and a player like Pocock could surpass him in that time.
Giteau is certain since he covers 10,12 and 9 at a pinch. I cannot see him being surpassed at both 10 and 12.
However, Giteau has a lot on his plate calling the plays, being the main kicker, and leading them around the park to also have to worry about the intensity of the forwards.
Our biggest weakness is that the forwards go missing too often.
We need someone close to the forwards to get stuck into them. Ideally it would be a forward to lead by example and who they will listen to when he barks at them to get stuck in.
That man is Horwill.
He may be surpassed by one forward as a lock (Kimlin may be a better lock, for instance), but I cannot see two locks surpassing him and having that hard edge.
Horwill turned the Queensland pack around.
They should make him captain on the Northern Hemisphere tour.
The only question is with what dignity Mortlock is allowed to announce his relinquishing of the captaincy?
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- Explore:
- captaincy, Giteau, Gregan, Stirling Mortlock
ohtani's jacket said | September 6th 2008 @ 12:59am | Report comment
I assume Mortlock will announce his retirement at some point with the same courtesy that captains like Fitzpatrick or Umaga received. Deans will let him know he’s being dropped and Mortlock will retire on his own terms.
His future will probably hinge on the outcome of the Tri-Nations. Win and he’ll retire sooner, lose and he might put his body through another season to get one more crack.
Benjamin said | September 6th 2008 @ 1:00am | Report comment
Is Horwill bright enough (in a rugby context) though? Personally I’d like to see Giteau call the shots.
jools-usa said | September 6th 2008 @ 1:31am | Report comment
Good thoughts.
Agree that must think sooner for a new skipper .
Stirling is not the kind of bloke to hang on for ego. or world record appearances.
Think his injuries have giving him a “mere mortal” outlook.
Seems best leaders come from the forwards, & W’s need that help up front.
Smith won’t do it, & maybe Horwill (or Rocky),is the answer, but the W’s starters in 12 months
may be unrecognizable to today, so maybe .there’s a candidate that hasn’t
even made the bench yet.
Jools-USA
stillmissit said | September 6th 2008 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Great and timely article Peter K.
I always assumed that this was Mortlocks last season. His injuries have finally taken their toll on him and like all great players his time is approaching.
I don’t believe that the replacement Captain should come on this end of season tour but at the start of next seasons campaign. This tour should be an opportunity to see one of Australias greatest ever, if the not THE greatest Wallaby outside centre play in his last games.
He has done a fine job as captain although he is too far away from the action to do what a captain should do. He will go down as a good and solid but not great captain.
Horwill is my pick as the replacement captain. This is subject to one factor and that is Pocock if he makes it into the Wallabies next year and steps up strongly then he may well be the next captain. Regardless of what happens if he plays well, Pocock will be considered for this position but most probably after 2011.
Peter K said | September 6th 2008 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Everyone is assuming Mortlock will retire from the game.
Mortlock still deserves his spot, and he may well deserve it for 2 more years.
If he is the best O/C he should still be in the team. Lets say he still is the best next year and still wants to be in the team, and even in 2010? I say of course pick the best team BUT he should not be captain.
Mortlock may be willing to stay around without the captaincy. Hence replacing him as captain earlier rather than later.
Even if a guy like Pocock ousts Smith from the starting bench next year I do not see that he could be made captain. Not a senior player, not a state captain. He also may have a fluctuation in form, 2nd season syndrome happens at test level too, and need to be dropped.
Benjamin – The captain does not have to be that smart. The playmaker and coach do.
His main job is settling the team down and keeping their minds directed at the tasks. He also needs to be able to make the forwards fight the good fight at the breakdown. The area he needs to be smartest in is deciding to change to plan B or changing the tempo of the game. So more strategic than tactical.
sheek said | September 6th 2008 @ 10:27am | Report comment
PK,
Agree with most of what you say, perhaps agree with all you say.
Agree about Gregan, agree Mortlock won’t be around in 2011, agree Giteau has enough on his plate, agree Horwill should be next captain.
Those arguing Horwill is still green needn’t worry. If Horwill assumes captaincy in 12 months – for 2009 NH tour – that’s plenty of time for him to be ready. This time next year Mortlock’s time may well be up. He will be 32, & perhaps at the end of his effectiveness.
Wouldn’t say Smith is a one position player. While he’s an outstanding #7, he’s also played for the Wallabies at #6 & #8. In any case, agree Horwill should be our next captain.
Peter K said | September 6th 2008 @ 10:27am | Report comment
jools-usa – In my original article I covered new players but it was edited out.
I exclude new players for multiple reasons.
How certain are they of still being there in 2011. Being new to the team how would the rest respond if they were then made captain, they would need to earn their respect first.
The captain needs time to mould his team so he needs to be selected next year at the latest , 2010 is too late.
Due to all these reasons we would be looking at the current squad.
Blinky Bill - Bellingen said | September 6th 2008 @ 10:42am | Report comment
I believe it was Jim Boyce who first wrote on Roar of the need to have the Skipper in the forwards and several posters responded by naming good captains who were outside backs.
But after thinking about it I would reckon that the Skipper needs to be closest to where the greatest influence is needed and for the Wallabies that place (based on how we’re travelling) is without a doubt in the forwards. Of the present bunch – and keeping 2011 in mind – the best option appears to be Horwill.
As for whether Stirling should see the job out until after the Northern tour……..well……..I guess it’s a matter of timing. Do we want to kick off 2009 with fresh Captain or do we want the team to have experienced his leadership already? I’m for the latter. I don’t think Australia has the time or players to avoid making the tough decisions sooner than we would perhaps prefer.
Mind you that’s assuming that Robbie Deans is even seeing the Captaincy as an issue that needs addressing. Maybe he sees stability, making use of SM’s experience, small steps as the way to go. Who knows?
tarpo said | September 6th 2008 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Agree with Sheek, give Horwill another season captaining the Reds, let him know he is on the shortlist, if Mortlock gets injured or loses form before the end of next season then step up. Otherwise give him a tad more time to grow into the position.
Benjamin said | September 6th 2008 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Peter, I mean in terms of reacting to provocation. If you saw the way he reacted to TNP’s poor throwing it was hardly inspring stuff. I think Horwill is a foot soldier, he isn’t an Eales or Johnson. The captain must have the intelligence to change the game plan at the drop of a hat. Therefore it is imperative that a team has multiple leaders so as to circumnavigate an isolated perspective. To that extent it would, IMO, be better to have a pack leader and captain in the backs.