Legendary NSW rugby captains Simon Poidevin and Phil Waugh have hailed the appointment of fellow flanker Dave Dennis as the Waratahs’ 2013 leader, a choice made by new coach Michael Cheika just 20 minutes before its public announcement.
Dennis, 27, replaces prop Benn Robinson following a 2012 Super Rugby campaign which ended with the Waratahs suffering eight straight losses to finish 11th with a 4-12 record.
He enjoyed a breakout year in 2012, winning the Waratahs’ Players’ Player of the year and making his Test debut, playing in all of Australia’s 15 Tests.
Dennis confirmed Cheika had only informed him he would be captain less than half an hour before telling the rest of the world.
“It’s true, it’s a bit of a surprise, but something I’m extremely proud of and he (Cheika) goes about things a bit differently, but it’s been received well,” Dennis said.
Asked why he had waited to virtually the last minute to make his decision, Cheika said: “What I wanted to do is make sure I took enough time to assess who would be the leader of the team.”
The decision certainly met with the approval of Poidevin and Waugh.
“I think it’s a fabulous choice of captain. He had an incredible year last year,” Poidevin told AAP.
“He’s a guy who gets it. He’s come from club rugby, he’s had a great affinity with the community and juniors and he’s a standout leader.”
Waugh, who played alongside Dennis in the Waratahs team, described the new NSW captain as passionate and loyal.
“He works hard, he’s certainly got the respect from all the players and he’s got that probably rare ability to connect with everyone in the squad which is such an important part of being a captain,” Waugh said.
“I think it’s a great choice.”
Dennis said he would lead by deed rather than word and revealed Waugh and Robinson were among people he would consult on captaincy.
“He’s just got to continue to be himself. He’ll put his own mark on the captaincy,” Waugh said.
Cheika said Dennis had earned the right to captain NSW after performing at club, Super and Test levels.
“Given to certain players, the captaincy will certainly make you a better player and I have no doubt that David will take that up,” Cheika said.
Cheika said the Waratahs wouldn’t have a leadership group, but he would appoint a couple of vice-captains after consulting Dennis.
Dennis acknowledged there would be pressure on the Waratahs to perform after a disastrous 2012 campaign, but wasn’t about to make promises and predictions about the coming season.
“You can’t say a lot – we’ve just got to show it,” Dennis said.
“We can’t make any guarantees, but what I will say is we will try everything we can to perform and to make the state proud.
“Passionate performances, try and play attacking rugby.”
Cheika expected to have close to a full complement of players available for the first game against Queensland, with back Berrick Barnes expected to be right to face his former team despite suffering a knee knock on Tuesday.
Hightackle
Guest
But thats how it comes accross isnt it? If I was Dennis I would be thinking "was he not sure"? It comes accross that he didnt know and ran out of time and was forced to choose. Imo a bad start from Cheika.
bennalong
Guest
The knocking starts again! The roar trolls are out! Dennis won players player of the year and was welcomed byPoidivon and Waugh both respected Tah captains No issue here Good luck Dave. You'll make a good captain!
ScrumJunkie
Guest
That's an idea, he would probably make a great fullback.
Bakkies
Guest
I hope it's not the Brumbies. Apparently they are interested and he has played there before. Maybe it's due to there being uncertainty over Nic White has he is only on 1 year deals at the moment.
Bakkies
Guest
Word from Toulouse supporters was that they were hoping to try him out in another position. I always thought he would make a good inside centre or fullback.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Unfortunately he walks into super 15 side because of his defense and ball running, not his passing. Every third pass is above 5/8's head or below his knees, he puts his team under so much pressure. Why do you think there is an 'amicable parting of ways' in France? Most important skill of the halfback is reliable service. Tick that box first. Can anyone honestly say they're desperate to see burgess in wallaby colours again? He's a nice bloke, but I wouldn't want him in my team.
Malo
Guest
Well done to the new captain, and it should be the tahs and brumbies with any hope of making an impact this year. Bit harsh on Burgess I thought his pass was ok and played really well for the wallabies, he would walk into any super 15 side except probably qld when genia comes back from injury.
JC
Guest
Agree 100%. Couldn't stand watching that guy making idiotic decisions to run the ball after the other 14 guys had worked their arses off to move the ball 70m up the field.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
It took them longer to figure out Burgess can't pass then I thought it would. I pity the fans of any team that takes him on.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Interesting times ahead for the Tahs. Will it be like all the other years or will Cheika be the catalyst to ignite the Tahs. Time will tell, roll on the season.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah guys but if you have Robinson, TPN, Kepu, Hooper, Palu, AAC, Barnes, Mitchell etc i n your team, do you really need a standout leader? These guys are seasoned pros (or in Hooper's case a very brightly shining star) and shouldn't really need much of a skipper. They should be making the right decisions on the field anyway. I'm thinking Hooper may be the spark that brings the Tahs together this year. He's an everywhere sort of guy, putting in the whole time. I'm as keen for them to play enterprising, passionate, tough and attacking footy this year as I am for them to win.
jameswm
Guest
Melon I didn;'t say that's how I would pick the captain. I said I think they are the factors that came into it. Tries hard and sensible are the main things. He leads by example by always putting in, and makes few mistakes. Whether he rallies the troops, who knows. As much as Pocock's captaincy is criticised, he seems to me to be the spiritual leader of the Wallabies pack and the one who rallies them when needed. It doesn't have to be the captain who does this.
Terry Kidd
Guest
A bit like Clark at the Chiefs ??
Terry Kidd
Guest
Yeah and Burgess is looking to return in May, not necessarily to the Tahs though
Terry Kidd
Guest
Exactly Hightackle .... you don't know, and neither does anyone else except Cheika. Dennis has been announced as captain, I hope he does well. Let's leave it there and ditch pointless speculation.
Terry Kidd
Guest
He didn't make the choice at the last minute, he simply confirmed it and announced it .... thats a long way from a hip shot move
Worlds Biggest
Guest
He certainly wasn't in my contenders which were Barnes, Robinson and Hooper ( left field ) as he doesn't strike me as an inspring type certainly not with his play. Cheika seems to have a bit of Cowboy in him, not bothered he decided 20 minutes before, does it really matter. Cheika will march to the beat of his own drum so as long as the players buy in and win that's all that matters.
dcnz
Guest
This could be the start of something great...for the tahs.. but i don't think so...... does dennis have the mongrel to lead by example?
Allanthus
Guest
Jutsie That's exactly how I read it. Not quite up to genuine test level, but a capable, consistent and honest player at Super rugby level. This seems well deserved to me and might be proven to be an inspired choice - he looks like the type of guy whose own game will blossom because of the increased responsibility and vote of confidence in him.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree 100%. No outstanding captain and no 9-10 for too long. You need these 3 players, or 2 if the captain is also 9 or 10, to get somewhere in rugby