An interesting thing happened this year at a number of the Australian Super Rugby sides: the leaders of the teams either stepped up or disappeared off the map.
In the former camp is Nathan Sharpe for the Force; James Horwill for the Reds; Phil Waugh for the Tahs; and Stirling Mortlock and Gareth Delve for the Rebels.
Nathan Sharpe this year has played his heart out. His commitment, continual effort, passion and execution in matches has been first rate. At the twilight of his career, he is a fantastic role model for tight forwards.
I think the standout performance for me was the Tahs match, when he attacked the hooker at lineout – over-calling, contesting at number two, disrupting the patterns and not allowing the hooker to settle into a rhythm or gain confidence.
A brilliant on field performance from an astute player.
Go one step further, and it is obvious that when the chips are down, Sharpe is talking, encouraging, and dealing with the mental aspects of the match at hand – steering his team to the best of his ability.
And this in a side that has under performed, but continues to show heart. And yes, they have lost matches that were winnable, but that is a culture issue and whilst Sharpe can influence and lead, he can’t play for them all. His grace in defeat and honest assessments are always welcome – this guy does not shirk the responsibilities of his post.
He captains his charges through thick and thin.
Injury riddled (like most sides) and missing key players, they fronted and Sharpe stepped up week in week out. A side that hails one of our young stars – JOC who also steps up to influence and change the direction of a match with his tackles, runs and input.
And Pocock, who changes matches.
Sharpe is the real deal.
The Reds Horwill and Tahs Waugh have similar never say die traits. Horwill has played through the rubble of difficult seasons, maintained the Queensland passion and is now experiencing the highs of leading a winning side, with a great culture and exciting future.
His post-match speeches are class – win or lose, he praises his opposition and speaks clearly of the highs and lows of the match. The guy is passionate, wears his heart on his sleeve and plays an uncompromising style of rugby. And when the crunch comes, he and others step up, perform and lead by example.
Waugh I have admired as much off the field as on. I am sure Reds fans think they have a mortgage on passion – but Waugh matches them. He is fantastic.
As a player he is the Nike man. As a captain he is gold. Could you imagine Waugh not training with his teammates? Not doing drills? Not leading by example in all aspects of his preparation?
And when he was injured this year, he lived the matches, lived the hits, took good with bad, and bled for his mates. The guy would play with one leg if he had to.
The other standout in the Tahs has been Mitchell. Two years ago I questioned his talent, and commitment – show pony and other less than flattering terms came to mind when he played for the Force and Wallabies.
I believed that he should have been dropped for the Wallabies when Deans sacked him, and not brought back.
But boy I was wrong about this guy. He has stepped up, matured and is as exciting a finisher as we have seen for a while. Deans did him a great service by dropping him, and he responded like a professional, determined to prove his ability and worth.
And he leads. He was recently at the Tahs Town Hall meeting with fans and took the hits as a players rep.
I have to admit I have become quite a fan, and he has proven himself to be an impressive team player.
Mortlock has been solid in a tough space. His own form was questioned when he left the Brumbies after an injury plagued couple of seasons. And all reports from the Rebels were that he was training ‘out of the park’, which was a great example to his new teammates.
On the park the guys appears at the end of his career, able to perform but not as consistently and with as mush impact as when younger.
The life of a centre who plays crash ball is not for the fanit at heart, or broken bodied. But he steps up, does it – and when on the ropes – he is the talker, motivator and respected Captain. He is also fortunate to have a deputy like Delve, another uncompromising player who is intelligent and performs.
And of course we have the Brumbies. Hoiles was last year’s captain and injury has left him out of the scene. Elsom is the Wallabies incumbent and ditto. My question to these guys is where have you been? Compare Waugh, Horwill or Sharpe to these guys and I would pick them day in day out, injured or fit.
Giteau has led the side since week one, which is simply not his gig. Whilst I appreciate that his form has improved to the point of being very good after some indifferent years for Wallabies, Brumbies and Force; he is not the leader that can change the results of matches. He is a talent, who came on to the scene and was rewarded as the highest paid Wallaby extremely young, after great performances early in his career.
I will not discuss any previously discussed issues with coaches, or previously discussed form. I am interested in his leadership. His post-match speeches and the tone of his reviews are not up to standard. If the tone is the same tone he uses with players during matches or after a defeat, he would not inspire confidence or respect.
His on field decisions lack strategy – kicks for the line when points are needed, and vice versa. I appreciate it is easy to criticise a decision, but as a Brumby fan I saw winnable matches lost through average captaincy.
In the end, it really is pretty simple – the guy hasn’t got it. If you are divisive or self centred off the field, then it is hard to be the glue the team needs on the field.
Who should be leading the Brumbies? It really is one of two players now – Ben Alexander or Steve Moore? Firstly, they do it, the hard work, the technical stuff, the ball carriage in tight, and they want to change matches. They are also both talkers, who encourage, motivate and lead through their example and maturity. I am a Moore fan as captain, although I admit that either would be a great result for the club.
And finally, which will be contentious in itself, what do I want from a leader?
My thoughts are: be a team and club man; have commitment; do the hard stuff for 80 minutes – lead by example; ability to influence a match; encourage teammates; communicate effectively in the club; communicate and influence Referees for positive outcomes; decisive; maintain team strategy and game plan; positive influence on team morale; honest; and be influential.
And the Wallaby captain?
Probably Genia.
Capital
Roar Guru
I agree Jimmy. The Australian side reminds me of the days prior to 99 when the young guys - Horan, Little were embedded in the side, as well as developing talents like Larkham, Gregan, Bourke, Roff and Tune in the backline. Maturity from guys like Kearns, Eales and Kefu in the pack. The team oozed youth, a daring attitude and the willingness to back themselves. Last year I think after a significant drought, our young guys learnt what it takes to win. And with JOC, Cooper, Beale and Genia in the backline - and hopefully Mitchell - the Moon is a Balloon. I am very excited with our chances this year, our pack options look pretty solid as well - which is the benefit of five teams in Super Rugby. My only questioon mark on Horwill - will he have the same impact at test level as he does with his state side. He is a great leader, but in my opinion he needs to be a proven entity in the side and a long term prospect. Therefore I would think that Genia would be my probable choice - knowing he can be impestuous at times. And I think Pocock needs to be rewarded, but with his work rate, he would be better suited at vice than captain.
Jimmy O
Guest
Rather than debate the merits of the incumbent I want to make the observation that I think Australian Rugby is primed to embrace a period of significant and positive transitional change. There is a core group of players emerging that could resemble a 1990′s esque period for the Wallabies. For the change to occur a few tough decisions have to be made. My sense is that now is the time to look to the future and invest in fresh team leadership. We need to acknowledge the services of Sharpe, Elsom and Mortlock over the past 5 years but move forward with confidence and optimism investing in the next generation. For me Horwill is a great choice. He has been a revelation for the Reds and has proven his ability to lead a team, taking the Reds from a culture of defeat to the benchmark team of Australian Rugby. Each week he inspires and motivates a group of young guys to perform at their best and give their all. He leads by example and with a genuine PASSION for the game, for the TEAM and for the WIN. He exudes a positive optimistic energy balanced with a mature level headed character – exactly what the Wallabies need this year of all years. Age is also on his side so he could have the longevity that brings real stability to the Wallabies. It may not be the measure of a good leader but for what it is worth I get the sense that he is also the type of guy you would want by your side in a fight, or equally the type of guy you would like to have a have a beer with. I really am impressed by James Horwill and I do hope he is given the chance to show his leadership skills at the national level. I think he would be ably assisted by either Genia, Pocock or Mitchell. I am really excited about the future of Australian rugby. I just hope that the ARU embrace the opportunity.
Capital
Guest
BEL, I agree the Wallabies need maturity in their leadership group. The interesting issue will be who will lead the side - number one, they have to be someone who has a long future ahead; and secondly they require leadership skills. Of the current state leaders, who would be a standout to play? Horwill, Genia, Mitchell (if he recovers) and Pocock. I think Sharpe will be in the squad, possibly the 22; Mumm and Giteau ditto; and Mortlock is a maybe. If you go with the first line, then my vote would follow Genia - confident, astute and aggressive.
Behind Enemy Lines
Guest
No doubt Sharpe gives his all and has played better his best rugby in the last two years, but he doesn't have a very good record of winning games as captain. Based on that you'd have him as part of a leadership group with one of the young guys as captain. Genia or Pocock seem the most likely.