Nick Ferris writes: 2007 season is over, we failed at the World Cup. A new national coach is to be selected, and there is a changing of the guard with some senior players retiring.
The next question is, should there be a new Australian captain? If so who and why?
I’m not saying Stirling Mortlock is not the man for the job, but I think it’s a serious subject that needs some serious thought. Just picking the best player for captain or the “first picked selected” is not the way to pick a captain.
Sean Fitzpatrick, Nick Farr Jones, Martin Johnson, John Eales, Wayne Shelford, John Smit are all great players, but is was with their captaincy they made even more than just the sum of their parts
When Australia played South Africa, in Newlands, Cape Town, earlier this year the captain, John Smit, went off with an injury. Sth. Africa slumped and Australia would have won that match if not for a great field goal from 40 metres out and on the touch line by Frans Steyn. During the World Cup when playing the Fijian side in the quarter final, Fiji had crawled back to 20-20 with 15 minutes to go, John Smit pulled his team aside and told the players that he could see in their eyes what he had seen in those of the Australia and New Zealand players at the same stage in their games the previous day, he told them to snap out of it. They went on the win 37-20.
Under John Eales, Australia won an unprecedented 3 nil series against the All Blacks, two of which were in NZ, in 1998. Retained the Bledisloe Cup in 1999, 2000, and won again in 2001, won the 2001 series against the British Isles and Irish Lions. And through his maturity won the Web Ellis Cup in 1999. His talent and composure on, and off, the field was an inspiration to the whole team.
Michael Lynagh is not one of the more celebrated captains, although still a good captain, he had a particularly inspirational moment in 1991 RWC against Ireland. In the final minutes, Ireland had just scored to be in the lead. Nick Farr Jones, the regular Wallaby captain was injured, so is was Michael Lynagh’s job to address the team under the posts while the conversion was being lined up. He was aware of being positive in his comments, rather than saying “don’t” do this and that, it had to be “DO” this and that. He told the team they would kick deep, they would get a lineout and win it put the ball wide. He called the backline move and ended up scoring in the corner, winning the game and going on to win the World Cup.
Wayne Shelford was one of New Zealand’s greatest No.8s. He captained NZ from 1987 through to 1990. He captained NZ in 31 times, winning 31,14 of these were tests. But one of his most important contributions was his contribution to the Haka. Wikipedia says “After becoming captain, Shelford brought his teammates to Te Aute College, a Māori school, to see the students perform a traditional haka. Although the All Blacks had been performing hakas at the start of their matches since the team’s inception, Shelford taught them the proper way to perform the “Ka Mate,” the haka they still use to this day at the start of their matches.” This in itself is a significant achievement.
Sean Fitzpatrick’s contribution to New Zealand is also more than just a great hooker, from all reports he was more of a captain/coach. England would never had won the 2003 RWC without Martin Johnson
I would argue that when a team is selected the captain is picked first, regardless whether there is a player of equal talent or better in his position. The Captain IS a position in itself, and I feel it is the most important. The exception is of course that the captain’s form is so bad that he must be dropped. A good example is when Nick Farr Jones was playing, Queensland’s Peter Slattery was a fine half back, good enough for selection for the Wallabies, but Farr Jones was an exceptional captain. Todd Blackadder was another great captain for the Crusaders, probably their no. 2-3 second rower, but justified his position because of his captaincy. Also I don’t like the recent practice of having a captain that get replaced with 30 minutes to go. The captain should be an 80 minute player.
Therefore, should Mortlock be retained as captain, does he have the qualities needed, maybe Giteau. In the forwards we have Waugh or Vickerman, Could Rocky Elsom grow to be captain material. Do we have a Farr Jones or Eales in one of the younger guys? If so, I hope we find them soon. Along with the need for a good front row and a good half combination, an inspirational captain should be top of Wallabies wish list.
stillmissit
Guest
I believe Mortlock has the makings of a great captain. Letting the English go on with their commitment to the breakdown without winding the big boys up to compete at this critical phase of the game was a miss in my book. Maybe the position must come from the 9 up front. I do believe that it is the calibre of the man rather than the position but given two candidates who appear strong contenders go with the forward or half back. Maybe Smith is the man, I believe its best to choose someone for a leadership role who doesn't care if they don't get it but ensure that they have the drive and determination to be successful if they do get it. I think that some of the young guys will be interesting in this area maybe Josh Holmes or Burgess could be the Farr-Jones type captain we dream about. Forget another Eales he was a one off never to be repeated an amazing player/captain.
Mike
Guest
It is an interesting one.... a lot of the great captains mentioned above, grew to be great captains and at the time of their election were seen to be a bit of a gamble. And it will be the same thing for the next Wallaby captain. Mortlock is great, but we should be looking to the next world cup with this. Four years gives whoever it is time to mature and develop with the role and to become more comfortable with its pressures. I feel Giteau and Smith would be the best options here. I liked Greg Russell's suggestion of a Giteau led and Smith/Waugh vice captained line up. I believe this has been mentioned before. Gits has the passion and has that ability to see the situation differently to others. He has the respect of his peers, and a captain should be someone like him who as a player can make something out of nothing and will never believe the game is over or lost until the whistle goes. But yes, most of the great sides with great captains have had forward captains. They are involved crucially at the restarts and set pieces, and key to building or turning momentum in a game. Curious to see then, how Smith goes with the Brumbies this year in Stirling's absence.
Nick
Guest
Greg, Funny how I didn't even think of Vickery. Does that say something about me or the English team? Nick
Damian
Guest
I reckon while there is no obvious successor Mortlock should be given the reins for as long as possible, just to allow him to grow as a captain. Having Gregan around posed no obvious distraction for Mortlock, but I think it would be interesting to see how much room for growth there is now that he's off the scene. Mortlock's got the qualities and the experience, and I think he's hungry for it. Let him keep it. I also don't think there's much point in looking for someone in the mould of Eales or Farr-Jones. Look at Chappell, Border, Taylor, Waugh, Ponting, (...Hussey?!?) - apart from the fact that they bat, the mould isn't really repeated.
Fat pete
Guest
The Crowd has nailed this one, wish I could play the school teacher and force everyone to read his article 10 times, especially the Australian Selectors' He says "The Captain is a position in itself." and goes on to add ".. when a team is picked the Captain should be picked first, REGARDLESS of whether there are players of equal or better quality in his position" In addition to Tom Blackadder & Peter Slattery which he uses to illustrate his point, it seems bleeding obvious that another example he could have used is George Greegan, the natural leader and dominent personality in the 2007 Wallabys. This principle ought to be a cardinal rule when selecting a team, if it is to perform successfully in pressure situations. As I understand it that is how the Australian Cricket Team is usually selected !!. A successful Team is usually led by a natural dominent leader with extensive experience, rather than the most brilliant technicion or the most skilled , regardless of whether it is sport, business, or politics(eg J Howard until now) Can we make "The Crowd" one of the Rugby Selectore !!!
Greg Russell
Guest
A prop who was captain? Try one in front of your eyes: Phil Vickery. Note that England's fortunes at this tournament have turned around from the time he returned from suspension. Of course it helped that JW returned (from injury) at the same time. We all assume that the turnaround is due to JW. But who's to say that Vickery hasn't also been a major factor?
Nick
Guest
KF, I think you point about a captain should be close to the referee is important. Being able to influence to way the reeree run the game can make or break a game. Fitspatrick and Gregan were famous for this, Farr Jones was also well know for quietly pointing out the rule book to the odd ref. During the 1999 World Cup final John Eales threatened to take his team and walk off if the French didn't stop the eye gouging and general dirty play. This sort of influence is hard to maintain from inside centre through to fullback. I would suggest the best positions for captain on this criteria is hooker, flanker (open side) and halfback. Question: Can anyone remember a prop who was captain? Nick
CG
Guest
I don't think its necessary to drop Mortlock as captain. It strikes me as throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I don't see anyone in the team that has the level of respect that he gets from the players. Gits needs to mature a bit more, Vickers loses his bottle in tight situations, Waugh can't keep a full time position, Sharpie just 'isn't there' sometimes. I reckon Smith or Latham are the best bet. Latham is clearly respected by the other players and has that ability to see a way out of a tight spot and to grab a win when its in the offing. Smith is an awesome player who highly regarded by the other players but seems to lack the charisma to command respect. Finding a new captain is always beset with the problem of finding a player with experience and maturity who still has most of their career before them. Most player become captain material towards the end of their career. CG
Temba
Guest
Sheeks got a point, in the new S14 season they will have to look for a captain (a captain that captains a S14 team) He does not have to be the best in his position but must be a good leader. The problem is there is a couple of positions that you need the finest of players like 9 and 10 (no compromise even for a captain)
KF
Guest
Hi I have seen number of teams on all levels of competition (fom club U-12 to test level) and one thing in regards to the captaincy has become obvious to me. The position the captain plays could be crucial in the games and as far as I have seen, it should be a player playing anywhere between 1 and 9 (maybe, possibly 10). These players play close to the set piece, and more importantly, close to the referee. Also, these players understand set pieces and rucks. Someone like full back may require full disertation to understand what is happening in the scum or lineout, whereas forwards and scrum-half are deeply involved in these plays. If you look at the list of the players that were listed in the article - Sean Fitzpatrick, Nick Farr Jones, Martin Johnson, John Eales, Wayne Shelford, John Smit and Michael Lynagh - only Lynagh was not playing in the positions associated with the set pieces. There is nothing personal against backs, but their contribution to the set pieces is minimal (if any) and sometimes referee or player that wants to complain abou the play has to call them from the other side of the field. Kind regards KF
Greg Russell
Guest
Reports are that Mortlock is almost certain to undergo another shoulder reconstruction, in which case he will miss the entire Super 14 season in 2008. Assuming this happens, it pretty much means there will have to be a new Wallaby captain: it would be stupid to rush Mortlock straight back into test rugby, let alone for his return from such major surgery to be as Wallaby captain. Realistically the options are Giteau, Smith and Waugh. A few years ago Sharpe would have been a strong contender, but he is 29 and is said to be seriously considering overseas offers beyond 2008. Of these three, Waugh is the most natural leader, but the fact that he does not have a guaranteed starting place pretty much rules him out for the captaincy. Although Smith knocked back the Australian (co-)captaincy this year, the fact that he will captain the Brumbies next year (in the absence of Mortlock) presumably means that he will be more open to accepting Wallaby leadership. To me the most obvious solution would be to make Giteau captain and to name both Smith and Waugh as vice-captains. The latter enables switching of Smith and Waugh between field and bench (although it is to be anticipated that Smith will remain the starting 7 for most matches). Whoever the new coach is, I can't imagine him having a problem with the above leadership choices, as all three players have a good track record of getting on with everyone.
sheek
Guest
I do think that with both the practicality & spirit of change, there should be a new captain. But who? Mortlock might only play another year, two at most with the Wallabies. Waugh can't command a regular spot. Vickerman might also be around for just another year. Sharpe seems to go missing in the heat. Giteau or Smith? They seem too immersed in their own games at present. Latham might be a wonderfully inspirational choice, but he's also short-term. I guess it's best to wait & see who the new coach is first, then see which players step up in next year's S14. Then we'll have a better picture.