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Horwill is captain of the Wallabies – Woohoo! I don’t want to disrespect Rocky Elsom, he has been a great player for Australia; I hope without the burden of captaincy that he can reach his highest standards again.
A few years ago Horwill was a hot head on the field. The captaincy of the Reds appears to have helped him focus his attention and channel his energy to make himself a better player.
Rocky on the other hand played his best rugby before he was made captain.
Whether it has been the injuries, the captaincy, or both, Rocky should be focusing on his own game to get it to its peak levels.
I’ve always believed in selecting a team and then selecting a captain. Gregan was held in the team long after he warranted it as a player, Mark Taylor in Test cricket similarly, as well as Phil Waugh for the Waratahs.
It would be interesting to see how someone like Beau Robinson might have developed if not held back behind Waugh.
I personally think Robinson is a better player for having fought to make it as a Super player but an interesting game of what-if nonetheless.
Whitaker behind Gregan is another case in point, the fact that Whitaker played for the Waratahs behind a beaten pack made him a better option for me in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Gregan was used to cleaner ball at the Brumbies and struggled to clear quickly at International level.
Rocky has competition for his starting spot; even if he starts he is likely to be subbed with half an hour to play.
Horwill on the other hand is in career best form, unquestionably first picked in his position and will be playing eighty minutes.
There are people who think David Pocock is the long term leader of the team, he is as yet untested as a captain so the leadership that Horwill learnt at the Reds culminating in the Super Rugby title this year means he is the more suitable by comparison.
Will Genia also has his admirers, however he is vice captain to Horwill at the Reds. He only captains when Horwill is injured and McKenzie has shown a clear pecking order in leadership.
I’ll not forget the Hurricanes game in 2010 where Genia as captain on the field had a tantrum and threw the ball away when things were going against the team.
Genia is already playing a critical role in the team and I think McKenzie has it right with him as the vice captain.
I think Blind Freddy should have been able to pick Horwill as captain at the start of this season. The right decision made late is better than not making the decision at all, well done Deans for making the call.
I’m sure the decision to replace Elsom was not easy.
Horwill gets a chance to lead the Wallabies against the All Blacks’s before the RWC kicks off which is important – he’ll get a taste of leading the team against quality opposition before the tournament.
The interaction between McKenzie and Horwill during games in the Super season was something that received some scrutiny. I can’t see Robbie taking up the Link position down in the stands though and it will be curious to see how Deans and Horwill interact mid-match.
Good luck in the world cup Big Kev and good luck Wallabies – all pull together and Bring Back Bill.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.