The biggest adrenalin pump in world rugby is to lead your country onto the home of rugby at Twickenham. Tomorrow night Ben Mowen will realise how big a buzz that really is.
Overnight the Brumbies captain was named skipper of the Wallabies against England to kick start the end-of-year tour of five games.
Mowen must remain captain for all five.
Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie made the call of the campaign to replace incumbent James Horwill, working on the tried-and-tested formula if you don’t put in you’re put out.
Horwill was lucky he wasn’t benched, after his lock partner Rob Simmons re-injured his knee and was ruled out.
In a double executive move, Quade Cooper was named vice-captain over Will Genia. The Cooper haters will have choked on their Weet-Bix this morning, but to any fair-minded rugby supporter, McKenzie’s recognition of Cooper’s outstanding rehab from team prat to team leader deserved to be praised in a tangible fashion.
So an entirely new Wallaby executive for Twickenham, and hopefully with it an entirely new attitude and passion.
Both were evident against the Pumas in Rosario, and to a lesser extent against the All Blacks at Dunedin, but not enough.
It’s an 80-minute game, and Wallaby fans expect and deserve an 80-minute performance – forget the fits and starts.
Mowen does the full journey automatically, and that’s one of the major reasons why his appointment is spot on.
But like Cooper, there’s a band of Mowen-haters as well, beyond my comprehension.
When I first flagged Mowen as Wallaby skipper three months ago, I was howled down with gems like “David Lord is clearly becoming a little senile”, and “No way should Mowen be captain over Horwill, James leads from the front while Mowen hides somewhere and sweet talks referees”.
It never ceases to amaze me me how wrong so many people can be, but that’s their prerogative, and the forum to air those thoughts is right here on The Roar.
Mowen is captaincy material alright, he’s proved that for two seasons with the Brumbies after being cold-shouldered by the Waratahs, and proved it conclusively.
Sure it’s a big step up the quality ladder to Test level, but the basic ingrediants are still the same – snap positive decision-making and lead from the front.
Quade Cooper will do just that out the back. Expect a big one tomorrow night from the number ten with the added responsibility.
Genia needs a rocket as does Horwill, and if both up their antes, the Wallabies will be well on the way to beating England on their soil, one of the most satisfying victories of all.
But as is always the case, the Wallaby front row is the big question mark.
There’s plenty of experience in James Skipper, Stephen Moore, and Ben Alexander, and on the bench with Saia Fainga’a, Benn Robinson, and Sekope Kepu.
If they hold their own, and pull their weight, the first leg of a possible Grand Slam will be locked away because the backs will do the rest, with big expectations on Israel Folau.
Anything less overall, and this tour is stuffed from game one.
Peter
Guest
Modern has been a good find. No doubt about that. But giving him the captaincy when he would unlikely hold his run on spot when the likes of Higgers, Pocock, Palu etc come back is odd to say the least. His woeful performance vs England won't help!
Squirrel
Guest
Mowen was woeful
JP
Guest
You guys are joking if you think you need an 8 that strikes fear.. For goodness sake these test players don't fear anyone please don't keep talking dribble....... About fear.. They are footballers who are playing for their country !
Garry Edwards
Guest
Great article David, pleasing to see someone is begining to notice the obvious. Mowen is an ideal captain, he has perception, the aura of command/respect, follow my lead men and it'll be history he has the runs on the board- there shouldn't be any argument. And I'm delighted to think that QC is VC. he done the Reds proud when he captained them just one off and, he needs this promo to raise even further his esteem, uh! don't mention it, on a comparative basis there is nothing wrong with his defence - hell, let him show off he's good! When looked at objectively JH is a tough customer he's a "in the trench player who muscles up and comes at you hard". Thats his role he doesn't need the added responsibility end of story. As for WG a great player a smart tactician there can be no doubt lets leave well alone allow him to concentrate on his primary role. But I do say this, there is much more to be revealed about this, everybody in the ARU is accountable and positive results are the requirement and smaller side issues will be resolved etc so, just sit back and watch it all unravel and then finally it will all be made good- six years of dickin' around fixed in less than 12 months, you've got to be happy with that. As for the Us V the Poms game well hey! I might even watch it seeing as how, what was his name again? Isn't playing.
Billy Bob
Guest
Regarding the skipper, VC, selection and all other coaching decisions- the central criteria can only be - "Will this. (Decision ) make the Wallaby Team played better against this other team?" Sorry to be Captain Obvious but the rest is theatre and theatrical criticism. And Link has dished up some good theatre this week.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
Bite your ass mate, as a man of colour myself it would be great to see a backline of that nature, all the families back home would love it but it has nothing to do with what you're suggesting, whatever that is!! I've played first class rugby in this country in the 80's and prior to that and after that colour representation was either non existant or very low, am just proud that a lot of the boys are now in the mix, and like you said, they are all strayns!!!
klatu
Guest
if that's how aussies treat their captain.......... then the wallaby environment is really toxic....... who will be next to go ..... Link himself?
john rhind
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
john rhind
Guest
Great to see the wallabies have someone who can talk to the refs like the kiwis can -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Shungmao
Guest
Nice post mate
WEST
Roar Guru
England will look to lay the foundation as they build for there RWC hopes. England have a very young team average age of less than 25. They to have a lot to work on and prepare for 2015. Mako Vunipola going against Ben Alexander will be interesting. As will England's debutant centre Joel Tomkins. England coach Lancaster is calling this autumn series "a defining one" as he seeks to build a side – and, just as importantly, a squad – capable of thriving far beyond this weekend. It is certainly an enticing team-sheet, with first Twickenham caps awaiting Marland Yarde, Billy Vunipola and the debutant Joel Tomkins. Those concerned about England's lack of obvious experience – they will kick off on Saturday with an average of just 14 caps per man on the field and more caps on the bench – might be advised to reserve judgment until the end of the month. On many levels, Saturday is going to be fascinating. It will also set the tone for the rest of England's autumn and possibly beyond. England's trio of jumpers – Lawes, who is also running the lineout, Launchbury and Tom Wood – have Horwill, Ben Mowen, Scott Fardy to contend with while the replacement lock Sitaleki Timani, all 120kg [18st 12lb] of him, will stand at the front. That means Young's accuracy will get a real testing and if he fails to hit his targets in the middle or at the tail it plays into Australia's hands. Cant afford England any momentum. All SH teams must stamp out any glimmers of hope for this young team. If they gain confidence then Twickenham will become very tough castle to lay siege upon. Give em Hell Wallabies. Remember 2003. Oh...Lots more interesting and fascinating things on English rugby. Check out The Guardian. They certainly wont forget 03 any time soon.
Squirrel
Guest
Agree Id have Moore (c) and AAc or Genia vc. These guys have the character and performance to be captains. I think it is just putting a rocket up Horwill as he is getting complacent as not much competition for 2nd row spots.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Injuries aside? Two weeks a year?
soapit
Guest
his views on a player are different to davids which seems like enough to make you a hater, at least until david changes his mind and then you're ok again.
Vinay
Guest
Mowen communicates well that is about all..long term we need to find No.8 that can strike fear in opposition and not merely talk.
Dru
Guest
This. I cant see Mowen starting with much more than 60mins expectation. Which places the QC situation as even more unexpected. I like Mowen and his leadership skills. Also Agree with making Horwill focus on his game. May very well not have gotten game time if not for injuries. But this is a set of very interesting calls by Linc. He is in a much better position than all of us in these calls, but hard not to call it unexpected.
Stray Gator
Guest
I'm sorry? What, precisely, has skin colour to do with anything? Last time I checked, they were all strayns.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
I am 100% in support of Mowen being named captain, he has 'command presence' an ingredient identified by Jake White and now by EM, it is a good move and a positive one. Am 100% behind QC elevation to vc, was never a QC fan but after watching him rebuild his life in and out of rugby and then capping it off with that great game he played in Bledisloe 3 I am converted, I was not happy at the way he was treated after the 'toxic ' episode and said as much, but am very impressed with the way he played, there was a mixture, not too much of the bravado he use to demonstrate, just enough and heifer it well with a cautious yet mature approach to the game, perhaps he has finally arrived, Toomua inside him with his pin point kicking just brought out the best in QC. All we need now is KB in the backline, at fullback with Folau back on the wing. Genia at 9, QC at 10, Folau at 11, Toomua at 12, Kurindrani 13, Speight at 14 and Beale at 15. What a backline, not a white boy in site, when you try black you never go back, only kidding!!!! Great courage and consistency by EM, we are in good hands gentleman!!
Wozza
Guest
+1
Wozza
Guest
The same tight five that pushed England into the Twickers turf in 2008. Must be Dans supreme gifts as a motivator that derailed that pack so comprehensively!