Will Rocky Elsom captain the Wallabies? AAP Image/Joe Castro
Breaking: James Horwill is the new Wallabies captain. Join us to discuss the Wallabies squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup
The Roar revealed first on this live blog that James Horwill has replaced Rocky Elsom as Wallabies captain, a stunning move by Robbie Deans, less than a month before the Wallabies’ first game against Italy on September 11th.
Bolters include Radike Samo, Ben McCalman and Rob Horne, while Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu proved their fitness to make the squad.
Along with Matt Giteau, players to miss out include Mark Gerrard, Lachie Turner, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, Sitaleki Timani, Luke Morahan and Pekahou Cowan.
James O’Connor was unable to attend the media session this morning.
Full Squad:
Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Rocky Elsom, Anthony Faingaa, Saia Faingaa, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Rob Horne, James Horwill (c), Digby Ioane, Sekope Kepu, Salesi Ma’afu, Pat McCabe, Ben McCalman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, James O’Connor, Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, James Slipper, Dan Vickerman
The Roar’s rugby guru Spiro Zavos has written an opinion piece on the line-up.
alesana tuilangi
Guest
samoa beat them!!!
s.t.rine
Guest
Giteau should keep his bags packed. Can't remember a RWC where a replacement hasn't been flown in & he can play so many postions. Hope it never happens......but! Estee
Jerry
Guest
Yet no one complains about TPN who's managed to play 25 minutes of test rugby in the past 2 seasons....
Tarragon Fields
Guest
Ha, perfectly stated.
Drew Musch
Roar Pro
I think it'll will have the total opposite effect. Unburdened by the captaincy and steadily building towards full fitness and form, I think Rocky will thrive.
Lorry
Guest
Davo, agree with you re. Timani, It's sad for him and Tonga's chances...Perhaps Deans should have been more honest about his potential for further selection. The IRB must change this terrible rule now. It would be fair if, say, all players have played less than 11 tests for any international side are allowed to play for a second nation. And, also, once a player has come to the end of his internat. career, he should be allowed to play out his remaining years with the team of his birthplace, if he wishes. This second rule change would be harder to oversee...
Nat
Guest
No Jiggles, actually the brisbane premier club competition has won the Australian Rugby Championship for about the last 5 years straight. Deans should be picking players from there before looking at that Shute rubbish.
Funk
Guest
Stephen "Squeak" Moore
Schtumpy
Guest
I would assume Pocock.
p.Tah
Guest
Who is Squeaky?
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Great squad and 100% behind them and Horwill. Think Rocky will step up well and play without pressure. DEans is not afraid to make changes and not suprisingly he has formed a squad which is perhaps the best that I have seen in years for balance. To those that question Ma Fu inclusion; we are not going to play the first choice props week in and week out are we; better guys will be for the bigger games.
Davo
Guest
The point with Timani is that he was a shoe-in to make the Tongan side, was eligible for Tonga and had stated his desire to represent Tonga at the RWC....he made the call to then accept a Wallabies jersey and in hindsight was probably the wrong call. He's only young but given he is already heading to Japan to play I doubt he'll have "winning back" a Wallabies jersey as his main focus over the next few years. I embrace the multi-culturalism of the team. Its a reflection of the nation.
Seiran
Roar Guru
We don't know what instigated this move. For all we know Elsom may have approached Deans and said he wants to focus on his playing rather than captaining. Replacing a captain at this stage could be unsettling and I really don't think Deans would have made this decision without very good reason. Either way, as I've said above, Elsom is now no longer guaranteed a starting position and is playing for his place in the team every game With the likes of Samo and Higginbotham biting at his heals, it will make for an interesting struggle.
Seiran
Roar Guru
I think the point now is that Rocky is playing for his position. As he's no longer captain, he isn't guaranteed a starting spot.
Nat
Guest
agree with all 3 points... Also, Ma afu over Daley ... I guess they needed someone to push the pie cart.
Nat
Guest
Actually 5 who can play 6 or 8: Samo, Higgers, Rocky, McCalman, Palu (in my order of preference). I agree, I'm also shocked that there is no backup fetcher!
sph45
Guest
Some good points FOS. Find them difficult to argue.
BennO
Guest
But despite his recent place of residency, Barnes is also a QLDer.
Big Steve
Guest
I would be surprised if its genia as they would then have two QLDRS in the leadership positions. While this isnt a real problem there are politics in every group and it would make sense for it to be a player from another province. My pick is Barnes if he is starting, which i expect him to, in the 12 jumper.
Zac Zavos
Editor
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