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.
mudskipper
Guest
linking the past with the present professional era is ridiculous... but old readers will love it David..
JohnB
Guest
In relatively recent times, Ian Chappell kept playing after the captaincy went to brother Greg, which is sort of the current situation, as (like Ponting) he hadn't (officially at least) been pushed out, but obviously that they were brothers makes it a very unusual/unique case. After WSC, there was a bit of chopping and changing as Greg declined some tours, but would come back in as captain for other series (admittedly, that is a bit of a different situation). Kim Hughes would captain a tour (eg the ill-fated 1981 Ashes) then play the next series just as a player. Greg Chappell then played his final test series (v Pakistan in 83/4) with Hughes as captain. Hughes himself briefly continued to play under Allan Border's captaincy after resigning. Kim Hughes had originally become captain, replacing Graham Yallop before WSC ended, during a 2 test tour by Pakistan. Yallop captained the first test and then didn't play the second (in circumstances I can't recall). However, Yallop then went on tour to India and played under Hughes' captaincy, and kept playing after the end of WSC under Hughes' and Chappell's alternating captaincy. Of course, all that happened the best part of 30 years (or more) ago now (as well as frequently being pretty tied up with the whole WSC thing)! Since Border came in as captain there's been no cricket equivalent to the current Wallabies situation.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
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.
nige imrie
Guest
Should have named squad for RWC after Bar Bars game, then they could have played all those fifty fifty guys like Palu, Mitchell, Polotunau etc. Who is the cover for Pocock,there is only one 7, McCalman was mentioned, he plays 8 and lock, where is Hodgeson, wow!!
Handles O Love
Guest
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.
nige imrie
Guest
I have been trumpeting Horwill for captain ever since the end of the Super 15 tournament, so I for one was not surprised when Deans back peddled sacking his favourite son and naming Horwill in his place. Deans is entitled to do what he thinks best and on this occasion he actually did the right thing,we applaud him! However he should not have dragged Elsom along in the fashion he did, we all watch Rugby Club and everytime the subject of the captaincy was raised, Cannon and Kearns would have no discussion on the matter only stating that there was no discussion except that Elsom was captain and he would lead the Wallabies to the World Cup. Interesting how times change, so in the modern game what do we call this, no loyalty or is it another one of Deans explanation, perhaps we are moving in a new direction, it is better for Rocky, he will perform better without the captaincy, who knows. We have heard Mr Lord citing examples of past captains being replaced, great, but in this case Deans handled it in the same way he handled the Samoan Test, not very well, I believe the Rugby community were all under the impression as was Elsom that he would lead the team to the RWC, even Deans believed it, so too did Cannon and Kearns believed it. We were even made to believe that was the reason why Elsom played in the last 4 tests, because if he were not captain he would have been dropped, there were many of us wondering how a guy who had not contributed all season got such royal treatment and the answer was there right in front of us, it's because he is the incumbent captain who had the coach's full support and who would lead the Wallabies to the RWC. So it is interesting that Lord speaks of Ella and Slack, Loane and Shaw, there is a vast divide, that was the amateur era, I played during that era and it was a time of private schoolboy tiffs and who you knew, it was a childish time and it was Rod McQueen who reformed all that. This is the professional era and Deans even though he has made the right decision in choosing Horwill it was the way he did it, he should not have created the impression that Elsom would lead, he should have made that clear from the beginning announcing that the captain would be named when the squad was announced. So Giteau is a disruptive liability, whose opinion is that, Lords or Deans? Deans had made it clear that there was no trouble between them so it must be Lord's opinion, dangerous opinion, Giteau is one of Australias greatest servants, Deans selecting him at 10 against Samoa does not tell me that is one of Deans best tactical moves.
Handles O Love
Guest
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!
Johnno
Guest
I think Elsom will leave OZ after the World cup and go to Japan or Euro nation. He has done this before. Where is the incentive for a man like Rock to say in OZ an delay in the super 15, and after you've been national capatain, and spend 50% of the time in the wallabies and 50% out. Why not sign a nice tidy 3 year deal in the mangers league, or japan, or France, or in England, or in Italy.
Klinger
Guest
Amazing that we now have in both our rugby and cricket teams ex captains playing alongside their replacents. Has obviously happened before in rugby, but not cricket to my knowledge.
snowman
Guest
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.
snowman
Guest
Reds hadn't won a Super Rugby final until this year either. Stats are there to be proved wrong!
Eric
Guest
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.
southernwaratah
Guest
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!
Rhino
Guest
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.
Harry
Guest
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?
Nashi
Guest
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.
Who Needs Melon
Guest
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.
JB
Guest
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)
Harry
Guest
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?
Tissot Time
Guest
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.