What Mark Ella and Rocky Elsom have in common
Columnist By David Lord, 19 Aug 2011 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Mark Ella, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, RWC, wallabies
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Mark Ella knew exactly how Rocky Elsom felt yesterday. Gutted. In a shock move, Wallaby coach Robbie Deans stripped Elsom of the World Cup captaincy, and handed it to Super Rugby-winning Queensland Reds skipper James Horwill.
That decision came from left field.
In 1984, the then Wallaby coach Alan Jones relieved Ella of his captaincy, and installed Queenslander Andy Slack.
That decision came from left field, as well.
As tough as it may appear, both were right on the money.
Mercurial Mark, still the most instinctive and intuitive footballer I’ve ever seen in any code, blossomed without the captaincy.
He scored a try in every international as the Wallabies chalked up their one and only Grand Slam tour of England (19-3), Ireland (16-9), Scotland (37-12), and Wales (28-9).
Nobody in the history of rugby has achieved such a personal feat. Not even an All Black, and they’ve won four Grand Slams, in 1978, 2005, 2008, and 2010, nor in the Springboks’ four Slams of 1912-13, 1931-32, 1951-52, and 1960-61.
Who’s to say the Rock won’t blossom as well without having to worry about 14 team-mates?
While Ella’s position was never under threat, Elsom has Scott Higginbotham breathing down his neck.
That’s one of the major reasons why Horwill now has the reins, avoiding the possibility of dropping captain Elsom during the World Cup.
We’ll see.
The big bloke has a lot left to give, and it will be a huge bonus for the Wallabies’ Cup campaign if Elsom throws all of his 197cm-110kg frame into the fray.
There were two other occasions when captaincy changes grabbed the headlines.
In 1978, innovative Wallaby coach Daryl Haberecht, the man behind the extraordinary “up the jumper” try for NSW Country against Sydney at Millner, dropped a bombshell by replacing Mark Loane as captain with Tony Shaw – both Queenslanders.
Like Ella is his day, Loane was the best rugby player on the planet at the time. But Shaw turned out to be the better skipper.
Nonetheless, it was a big call by Haberecht. He always followed his hunches, and was rarely wrong.
And back in the 60s, the Wallaby captaincy switched between crack half-back Ken Catchpole and prop John Thornett.
Catchpole captained the Wallabies in his first Test in 1961, and was coach as well. He led the side for six Tests, before hooker Peter Johnson and full-back Jim Lenehan skippered a Test apiece, with Catchpole still in the side.
Thornett was also in the lineup throughout, taking over the captaincy for 15 Tests. Catchpole was reinstated for four and Thornett for one.
The revolving door captaincy and amateur administration between 1961 and 1967 was a shambles compared to today’s standards of professional organisations.
In that same era, the Wallaby coach was a second-class citizen, called an assistant manager. The manager was the king-pin, his assistant just a necessary evil to make up the numbers.
It was the manager who spoke at every official function. The coach was always at the back of the room, and hard to find.
Not so these days.
It’s the coach who is up-front and very visible; it’s the manager’s turn to be invisible.
Deans was very visible yesterday, having made a captaincy decision that could well be the difference between a so-so performance tournament and holding aloft the Holy Grail.
It took courage to admit he was wrong supporting Rocky Elsom from the start of this season, when the skipper was so short of match time because of injury.
It was better to cut the mustard, before it was too late.
And despite all the flak the coach is copping from former players and current commentators bemoaning Matt Giteau’s non-selection, the knockers are missing the point.
They are remembering Giteau the way he was, and not the way he is, remembering him as a team man, and not a jack man. Deans has decided Giteau is a disruptive liability who could cost the World Cup.
And again, Robbie Deans is right on the money.
It was his finest off-field hour.
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- Mark Ella, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, RWC, wallabies
August 19th 2011 @ 7:32am
Frank O'Keeffe said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:32am | Report comment
It would be interesting to get Jim Boyce’s opinion of what Catchpole was like as captain compared to Thornett.
Alan Jones was a winner. To be a winner you have to make the tough calls. The dropping of Mark Ella as captain was the right decision. I say that as the world’s biggest Mark Ella fan.
So I was happy to hear Deans dumped Elsom as captain. I wasn’t sure if he was the coach to make the tough calls.
According to Ella, Shaw was a better captain than Loane, primarily because he let Ella be Ella. Ella said Loane was very narrow-minded and wanted him to play like Paul McLean.
Others like Poidevin, felt 10ft tall playing next to Loane. It was nice reading in Poidevin’s autobiography how the biggest reason he wanted to play France in 1981 was the mere chance to play next to Loane. That’s how respected he was by the players.
Elsom… I doubt he’ll recapture the form of 2008, but if nothing else he has nothing to worry about. He can just focus on his rugby now.
I’m actually pretty happy with the Wallabies leadership group. Elsom is still apart of it. But Deans has made the right call putting Pocock and Genia in that category (Barnes should be in there too). Both can be captains, both are irreplaceable players right now, will always be in the side, and if something happened to Horwill I’d like to see Genia be captain.
I don’t see where this whole “Genia is too young to be captain” argument is coming from. Horwill was injured for the Reds and I’d argue Genia got better as captain.
But for now Horwill is a fantastic, fantastic choice. For the first time since Gregan I feel good about who Australia has as captain.
August 19th 2011 @ 7:38am
kingplaymaker said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:38am | Report comment
Nice article David. Maybe Deans felt the team needed a more imaginative kick than Elsom was providing. It’s slightly strange in that Elsom did seem to be improving, but perhaps what Deans really fears and rightly is the All Black back row smashing his own into oblivion and winning the world cup. Certainly I would say that the back row’s superior physicality and dynamism was the critical difference (although there were others) between the two sides.
Poor old Elsom, but he didn’t help his cause by not signing for next year. The captain failing to sign for the following season is not a great example to the team.
It was strange to see Wayne Smith (the journalist, not the assistant AB coach), who would savage criticise Deans for anything and would probably physically carry him out of Australia so much does he despise the idea of a non-Australian coaching the Wallabies, was forced to concede through gritted teeth:
‘Certainly it is a squad well equipped to perform well at the World Cup, and maybe even win it.’
August 19th 2011 @ 7:51am
sheek said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Hi David & Frank,
I concur with both of you.
Mark Loane was probably my first genuine Wallabies hero. But I also thought Shaw was the better skipper. Confirmed years later when Loane’s intransigent nature was brought to light.
There’s another thing to consider here. Loane was a great leader of Queensland, but Shaw a better leader for the Wallabies. Some provincial captains, like players, don’t easily make the step up to the national team, which may require a different approach from its leaders.
Taking the captaincy off Mark Ella was also the right call. There is also a difference between captain & leader. Ella was clearly the leader of the Wallabies’ attack. But Slack as captain was like a diplomat. He had a lot of off-field chores as well. Not everyone is cut out for the off-field chores. Ella wasn’t.
This is why Horwill is such a better choice than Elsom. Horwill is not only a great leader on the field, he intuitively understands the requirements off the pitch as well, to an extent Elsom never could. Or liked.
Now Elsom has the opportunity to be the leader of the Wallabies’ aggressive attack of the breakdown & crunching frontline defence, freed of the captaincy burden.
With respect to Robbie Deans, many people are still death-riding him. We all make mistakes, but it is a measure of a man, or woman, who can correct a mistake once they realise the error.
As I remarked yesterday, the decision to replace with Elsom with Horwill, which nobody predicted although many wished for, has energised the Australian rugby community. It is definitely seen as the right decision.
August 19th 2011 @ 9:09am
Who Needs Melon said | August 19th 2011 @ 9:09am | Report comment
I concur too. I hated the attitude that we all had to just shut up, accept Elsom was captain and get behind him. I think this and the Giteau decision must send a good message to the team too – Deans will show faith, back you and give you a chance but, if there are better options then it doesnt matter who you are.
And you’re right, this has re-energized me and it might actually be good timing. It’s not like Horwill has not captaincy experience – I don’t expect this will change his game one bit.
August 19th 2011 @ 9:25am
Nashi said | August 19th 2011 @ 9:25am | Report comment
The other thing I like about the squad Melon is that Deans has looked for potential rather than competence. Giteau represents the safe bet. Deans knows that this will not cut the mustard against the ABs. He has to have game breakers where he can get them. He also has time to get them up to speed, expect to see plenty of action for the injury returns early on. I salivate at the prospect of a fit TPN, Vickerman, Palu, Barnes and Mitchell in the match 22. Compared to Fainga, Timani, Brown, Giteau and even Turner if only half of them make an impact you are still streaks ahead. I’d rather be in with a shout and get badly beaten than go down commendably while never threatening any day.
August 19th 2011 @ 7:34pm
Handles O Love said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:34pm | Report comment
Well, not one to blow my own horn, (OK, yes I am..), but I am sure I posted my theory on the captaincy on The Roar when Rocky was named captain initially. For those who missed it …
I thought Deans must have done a deal with him. The deal would be Robbie would give Rocky the chance to hold on to the captaincy, and show that he was still an absolute nailed on first pick in the XV, and show that he could get match fit, Ih he could, I am sure Deans would have handed him the captaincy for the RWC.
The quid pro quo being that if he didnt show either of those things, then he would step aside for New Zealand without a fuss. To those who say he looks gutted, we should remember that he looks like that in every post game press conference, win or lose!
August 19th 2011 @ 7:56am
Owl said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:56am | Report comment
Robbie Deans has certainly selected his best 30.
What I find interesting and coincidental is that Giteau is out and Elsom has lost the leadership, when both under the covers of weak board had a hand in the sacking of their coach Andy Friend and Giteau was around to see the back of Nucifora. Shame there is no suitable replacement for AAC, but I am sure his time will come.
Obviously Deans and the ARU manages player power better than those weak spineless glad handers at the Brumbies and Nucifora has a good memory.
Well done Robbie Deans, keep weeding our garden.
August 19th 2011 @ 8:03am
warrenexpatinnz said | August 19th 2011 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Owl think AAC played better last weekend but both him and Rocky are still missing that link timing, that vision and running lines that will bring their support players in when making a break. If Mitchell gets back on the paddock and performs think AAC will be back to the bench as utility back up only as Mitchell at his peak would finish the break AAC made with a pass or just score the try himself.
August 19th 2011 @ 8:22am
Tissot Time said | August 19th 2011 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Do the Wallabies have to wait until another Ellaesque player has a personal feat of scoring a try in each international against the home unions before another Grand Slam is achieved? Whilst the personal achievements should be recognised rugby has and always will be a team game. Getting individuals to gel as a team has produced results for the Reds over the past few years. The captain and leadership team are instrumental in providing this gel. Methinks the WBs whilst they have good individual players are not yet a team although the result in Durban suggests they are heading in the right direction and Horwills selection will further enhance this.
August 19th 2011 @ 8:44am
Harry said | August 19th 2011 @ 8:44am | Report comment
Nice article David, very accurate on the history.
Thought Elsom showed class and character yesterday.
And who else can’t wait for the Brissy Bled and the RWC?
August 19th 2011 @ 8:59am
JB said | August 19th 2011 @ 8:59am | Report comment
The worry with the Bledisloe, Harry, is that eveyone will think a win is guarenteed now that the Wallabies have changed for the better. But it’s a good decision by Deans. Hopefully Elsom and Samo (?) will really negate the influence Thompson (?) and Read next week, leaving Pockock the usual uphill battle to nulify McCaw…
Having said all that, it really underlies how lucky the Wallabies were in the 90′s to have outstanding leadership in Farr-Jones, Eales (as well as Kearns, Lynagh and Gregan)
August 19th 2011 @ 9:42am
Harry said | August 19th 2011 @ 9:42am | Report comment
JB even us eternally optimistic (or delusional/arrogant, as many kiwi’s perhaps rightfully regard us) Wallaby fans would surely not think a Brissy Bledisloe win is guaranteed. I think we have a chance, no more, and I’m sure you’ll be able to get Aus for well more than $2 for the win from our bookmaking friends, which seems about right IMO.
If some do think a win is “guaranteed” I’d like to hear their reasoning given 1) Australia have NEVER beaten NZ at Lang Park, and indeed haven’t beaten NZ in Brissy since 1992! In fact if my memory serves me correct thats the ONLY time we have beaten them in Brissy, certainly in the last 50 years. 2) What is it? 2 wins out of the last 13?
August 19th 2011 @ 2:26pm
snowman said | August 19th 2011 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Reds hadn’t won a Super Rugby final until this year either. Stats are there to be proved wrong!
August 19th 2011 @ 7:37pm
Handles O Love said | August 19th 2011 @ 7:37pm | Report comment
I can answer that question HArry. Speaking as the eternally optimistic (delusional/arrogant) Wallaby fan, I can categorically say that a Brisbane win is not expected!
I think we will be 10-15 points better than we were at Eden PArk, and there is every chance the ABs will be worse, particularly if they bring the squad from South Africa here, and leave out the big names, but a win is never guaranteed against the All Blacks.
August 19th 2011 @ 8:39pm
Cattledog said | August 19th 2011 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
Who the ABs bring to Brisbane, IMO, will centre ENTIRELY on whether they defeat the Boks Sunday morning (EST). If they win, my feeling is that Henry will hold off the big names and chance the current squad against Australia. If they lose, you’ll see wholesale changes to the side and the A Team in Brisbane.
Of course, as the last game before the RWC, Henry may just be too nervous to chance anything and will play the A Team. I think the Team selected will be an indication as to whether he’s confident or a little nervous.
Of course, I’m only assuming Deans will select his best possible team (from those NOT returning from injury), whilst those and the others not in the 22 have a run with the Ba Ba’s on Friday evening.
August 19th 2011 @ 9:55am
Rhino said | August 19th 2011 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Interesting article David. One aspect of Horwill’s appointment not really mentioned yet is that I think it will stop any kind of “Brumbies Player Power” type situation happening. Not that I’m suggesting Rocky was responsible for the Andy Friend fiasco but he was part of that team and culture and didn’t appear to do anything to stop it. Same with Giteau. Horwill doesn’t seem like the type to let that kind of player power rubbish permeate within the Wallaby camp.
Agree with other here saying Rocky showed admirable character yesterday and didn’t shirk the questions. Look forward to him returning to his barnstorming best. I’m sure that there is a good formula for using him and Higgers together over 80 minutes. The way McQueen used Matt Cockbain and Owen Finnegan at the successful 99 RWC campaign could be good template.
August 19th 2011 @ 2:37pm
snowman said | August 19th 2011 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
I was very worried about Rocky even being in the team this year, let alone Captain. After the last week (the SA game and the Captain change) my doubts have been extinguished.
On a slightly different note, I had four players that I really did have issues with being in the team (I was on the fence with Rocky) and am convinced we would lose if they were there as they are not Test level – Giteau, Mumm, Brown and Maafu. Why is Maafu in, I would prefer Baxter. Luckily he will probably only play the second tier games.
August 19th 2011 @ 10:36am
southernwaratah said | August 19th 2011 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Given we have the “Super Coach” looking after the Wallabies I’m a tad inclined to back Robbie and his Decision about the team not wanting to sound like our cousins over the ditch who have a tendency to bag the coach of the All Blacks base on which Island he comes from.
Deans record is outstanding at Provincial and at International level too considering the cattle he’s had to work with since 2008 also how he’s developed them and got them playing at a world class level; a few years ago any win in the SA republic would have been applauded but we’ve just gone back to back wins over there!
I’m standing by him and saying well done for making to call on Giteau and Rocky, I’d sooner him make these hard calls now and move forward then to look like the South Africian’s who seem deluded by the fact that they can win another RWC with the same team and game plan… lucky Percy retired!
Bring on Brisbane and September 11!
August 19th 2011 @ 11:29am
Eric said | August 19th 2011 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Agree with nearly everyone. Great call to remove the c from Elsom, and if he sulks, Higginbotham will be no 6 before you can say ruck me. I wish we knew the truth to the Rocky saga. Why was he allowed to go to Ireland under “special circumstances”. The rumour was that he’d lost a lot of money somehow. What promises were made to get him back. Were Deans’ hands tied for some time, or were there no other candidates two years ago?
I just wish they had done it earlier to allow JH a bit of time to get used to the role. First gig, a Bledisloe. Big ask.
Re Giteau’s exclusion, you’d have to say Horne & Phipps are the beneficiaries, which looks risky, but to me it says that Giteaus attitude and influence were the problems. Presumably he would be No 31 if a back gets injured at any time, which is quite likely.