Stephen Larkham has played under some of the greatest captains in recent Australian rugby history. John Eales, George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock, to name but a few.
Yet the Wallabies legend says Ben Mowen is one of the best leaders he’s ever seen.
“He’s a great motivator, leads by example, speaks well, understands the game plan and works really hard off the field in doing his homework,” Larkham, an assistant coach at the Brumbies, said.
The 28-year-old’s road to his debut for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions this Saturday in Brisbane has been rocky.
He was unwanted by his home franchise of Queensland. The NSW Waratahs then discarded him for Rocky Elsom after just three seasons.
Fortunately, while considering overseas options, the backrower was not only offered a Brumbies gig by World Cup-winning coach Jake White, but made captain.
“(White) had a vision when he came here, wanted to change the culture somewhat,” Larkham said.
“That was a difficult decision. I remember going through the process with Jake.”
Yet Larkham admits he had his doubts about Mowen when he arrived at the end of 2011.
“But from day one he’s shown tremendous intensity both on and off the field,” the 102-Test flyhalf said.
“He certainly has surprised me.”
Larkham says Mowen has been instrumental in dragging the Brumbies from 13th place in Super Rugby in 2011, to all but securing the Australian conference in 2013.
But many would have thought the Brumbies were getting a dud deal when Elsom and Mowen swapped clubs at the end of 2011.
“They’re totally different players. Rocky when he was with the Brumbies was not a very good team player,” Larkham said.
“He didn’t involve himself in the team aspect nearly as well as he should have.
“Ben Mowen is quite the opposite, everything is about the team.
“He sacrifices a lot. So in that respect they’re chalk and cheese.”
Mowen admits it’s funny how it’s all panned out and there were times when he questioned whether he’d ever make the national side.
“I had a good meeting with Robbie (Deans) at the end of the June series last year,” Mowen said.
“He said he wanted to see some good improvements with my impact in the tackle and was looking for back-rowers who could play on the ball.
“So I worked really hard with (Brumbies forwards coach) Laurie Fisher during the off-season just through leg power and carry and improved my breakdown work.”
roardog
Guest
i have got to agree with you on that one
jameswm
Roar Guru
We were at our peak when you had Eales, but also Gregan and others who were leaders. We were at our peak when we were smarter than everyone else. Look at us now. Who are the smarter ones whose leadership helps? Robinson Maybe Moore Horwill Mowen Pocock when playing Genia maybe CL maybe AAC a bit too Barnes any of JOC, Beale, Ioane, Cooper etc?
jameswm
Roar Guru
It was a bigger problem in Slattery's time (his quote).
jameswm
Roar Guru
I don't know about the Tahs discarding him either. They signed Rocky and I thought Mowen left, seeing the writing on the wall. Would never have happened under Cheika. Dennis and Mowen are similar style players, tall mobile 6 types who can fill in at 8 or lock. I'd have rather kept Mowen though.
Rob G
Guest
And that is the biggest problem with Australian rugby at the moment.
formeropenside
Guest
good to be Australian, better to be a Queenslander
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
I've been surprised by Mowen too. Really seems to have blossomed since coming to the Brumbies... and the Brumbies have a proud history of that happening! He really deserves to be wearing gold and chuffed he made the starting team... albeit it was perhaps at the expense of Higgers? I'm also really chuffed that we have at least 3 real leaders in the Wallaby run-on team: Mowen, Genia and Horwill. I think that will make a big difference. Look at how much of a difference Kimlins leadership (another surprise for me!) made the other night.
roardog
Guest
are you for real i thought all of us no matter what state we come from are australians first.
formeropenside
Guest
thats exactly the problem, isnt it? - Queenslander second.
roardog
Guest
formeropenside , he had a broken jaw one year and a shoulder reconstruction the next year ,qld offered him a match payments only contract, mckenzie offered him a full contract , i believe when mckenzie got the qld job he was one of the players he went after.if you knew the guy he is an australian first and a queenslander second
Brumbies Jack
Guest
QLd did not offer Mowen contract so he spoke to the Tahs, Euan and Tony Darcy could see his value and signed him in 2008 he stayed until end of 2011 season and then when contract negotiations broke down as Tahs had signed Rocky, already had Palu, Mcutchen and Dennis on their books and would not agree to a 12 month deal Mowen signed with the Brumbies as he felt that he would not get game time to continue to develop his game. Mowen wanted to play his career out at Reds as he was a Queenslander but in professional football it is not always that simple, you need to go where you get the opportunity, his desire to sign for only 12 months was for family reasons Tahs knew that but ignored to their own downfall and as they say ..the rest is history Great story of preservence and following your dream!
formeropenside
Guest
"unwanted by Qld" is an interesting view of his defection to the Tahs