Wallabies great John Eales says Australia will benefit if Nathan Sharpe shelves retirement plans yet again to lead the Wallabies on their upcoming European tour.
With Australia still nursing an unprecedented injury list, coach Robbie Deans has asked the 34-year-old Sharpe to extend his career once more for the Tests against France, England, Italy and Wales starting next month.
It continues a dramatic turnaround for Sharpe who has gone from a fringe player at last year’s World Cup who planned to retire after the last Super Rugby season to admired national skipper.
The evergreen lock took over the captaincy with aplomb following injuries to successive incumbents James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia, leading the battling and depleted squad to second place in the inaugural Rugby Championship.
Sharpe, who with 111 Tests is the second most capped player in Wallabies history, will make his decision about the Europe tour over the coming week, before Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday week.
Eales, who captained the Wallabies in their 1999 World Cup triumph, said it would be a bonus if Sharpe played on for one final tour.
“It’s very important to have that leadership in the team, to have those senior leaders,” Eales told AAP on Wednesday.
“There’s a lot of experience out of the team through injury, so having a guy like Sharpey around who doesn’t get flustered easily is valuable.
“He’s just got to go on his own judgement. He’s been around for long enough and he knows whether he’ll be up for it.
“If he’s up for it, he should go for it.
“I think it’s really good news for Australian rugby if he wants to play on because we’ve had a really big injury list.
“His form has been excellent, and you want people who are in form.”
Horwill (hamstring) and Pocock (knee) are a chance to feature on the November 10-December 1 Spring tour.
Red Kev
Guest
I think that Horwill and Pocock are expected to tour, but neither will be up to playing 80 minutes, or even playing and captaining at the same time - let them concentrate on getting back into rugby. Other than calling in a previously discarded experienced player as captain or turning the tour into a genuine 'A' tour with a young captain I am not sure that choice Deans and the Wallabies have ... Stephen Moore maybe?
mania
Guest
disagree baz. problem with the scrum is the crap front rows. hardly sharpes fault when aus have had successive fatty losers as front rowers, dunning, baxter, robinson
sittingbison
Guest
Thats true Mike. Which makes it even more obvious that Deans has lost his mojo since 2008 (when he first dropped Sharpie), and has not dropped those that deserve to be, and selected those who don't deserve to be.
sittingbison
Guest
yes. except there is a darth of leadership in the "experienced" players left. Sharpie is going solely to glue the younger team together with his leadership and experience given Horwill, Pocock, Genia etc are not going.
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Agreed. Sharpey's got to be one of the most under-appreciated Wallabies of recent history. His expertise in the lineout is something we just don't have with anybody else, and gutsier players are very hard to find. We'll miss him next year, but good on him for sticking around for the tour. True-blue champion.
Red Kev
Guest
Funny you should mention that, I did type out a "this is the last time" joke, but deleted it before I posted the link.
Brett McKay
Expert
John Farhnam jibes have ensued...
JTG
Guest
Surely this would be the time to take some YOUNG players that will be there next year??? & need test experience
Mike
Guest
Spot on, big baz. Sharpie has had his ups and downs. The idea of criticising Deans for failures to select him in the past lacks objectivity. But he is doing well now, and with the number of injuries to key players we really need him. Great to hear that he has agreed to stay on.
Mike
Guest
Many people agreed with Deans' decision to shift Sharpe to the bench or drop him in past years. In fact, Deans copped a lot of criticism for not doing it earlier - he cannot win either way. Right at this moment, I think Sharpe has good form and is the lock and captain we need. Great to hear he will stay with us for the tour.
Red Kev
Guest
Looks like Sharpie is playing on: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/four-more-for-the-road-sharpe-to-play-on-20121011-27eps.html
bigbaz
Guest
I think Sharpie has got better with age. I reckon he was a lot with what was wrong with the Aussie scrum in his early years. He just wouldn't push. Even now you can see that every now and then he uses the scrum as a resting place.
Blue Blood
Guest
I think the longer Sharpe plays the more damning it is for Deans. Sharpe has constantly not been in favour with Deans and not due to his obvious strong form. Having Sharpe postpone his plans to retire reinforces my belief that Deans has done little to blood depth in the Wallabies the last 4 years. Yes there are some big injuries this year. But would they be felt so strongly if Deans had used his bench and chances to rotate in the past? I suggest not. Deans selects and then flogs his favourites. This is bad for the bodies and thus longevity of his favourites and does nothing for depth. This mess is your doing Deans. Enjoy it. Sharpe by all means play on if you feel your body and heart are up for one last stomp around the spring tour. But feel no pressure from us. If you go it is damning of Deans. And if you don't it will again be damning of Deans because it will further expose his inability to develop depth.
mania
Guest
if i were sharpe i'd say no. not because of the jersey but because of deans.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks RK - I though as much. Captains should have some input, not necessarliy the final say but some input as to who he goes to battle with. And as for David Nicifora, I suspect (but not sure), you are right. He is probably getting a free ride on the wave of critiscism on selections. I know the buck has to stop with the Head Honcho Coach but I for one do not believe that there is not some sort of committee in selecting run on sides.
Red Kev
Guest
Captain isn't involved in selection, at least not of an RWC squad. Deans and his assistants certainly, the Wallabies used to have a selection panel (Rod MacQueen was on it before he was Wallaby coach) but I do not know if that is still the case. The rumour (sorry I can't remember which journo published it) is that Nucifora has a lot of clout in the process.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
RK who were the "over rulers?". What has been muted is that Deans is to blame for all selection woes. In most set ups there would be a selection committee plus input from the captain. Just wondering. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Red Kev
Guest
As long as Sharpie makes his own decision to play on or not and doesn't feel pressured or obligated then it'll be a good decision - he's a man of integrity. It is however somewhat embarrassing for Deans considering how often he has tried to permanently shuffle Nathan out of the team, even to the point of preferring Timani in the RWC squad (thankfully that notion got over-ruled) - or so it was rumoured.
mania
Guest
i've said it before, sharpe is oz' set piece king. he will be sorely missed when he retires. most of oz dont appreciate what he brings to the game
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Great player. Hope he tours.