The big news in Wallaby-land is James Horwill being dropped as captain for the upcoming England game and, presumably, the series. But the flashpoint is Quade Cooper being named as vice-captain.
Since Cooper seems to wear targets that attract all of our attention – some put there on his own, others media-erected and more still created due to the nature of his game – we’ll start there before looking at the bigger picture.
The obvious thing to say is Cooper does indeed have a chequered past when it comes to on-field and off-field maturity.
He’s shown some poor judgement in how to air his grievances. He hasn’t been the most consistent player in the way a leader on the field should ideally present themselves.
But the key to that paragraph is a single word: past.
Ewen McKenzie has seen Cooper accept the punishment of being dropped and a large fine and what he has done to deal with and move on from that.
We, as a rugby viewing public, have also watched how he has dealt with it. Some of us watch that with the baggage of his past firmly in frame, others tend to put it firmly in the past.
Here’s why I’m not bothered by him being made vice-captain.
Cooper has made obvious improvement on and off the field since he received his punishment from the ARU.
Off the field Cooper has been more responsible, down to little details like being articulate and open about his team during interviews while accentuating the positives.
He hasn’t been caught in compromising situations in public and has generally been one of the quieter ‘stars’ around rugby this year – especially compared to his past.
On the field Cooper was the lynchpin of the Reds this year along with Will Genia (whom Cooper was selected as vice-captain over) and James Horwill returning from injury.
Another key to his maturity has been learning to play – or underplay – his hand in a measured manner.
This season he was criticised for not making things happen for the Reds at times, and they were valid. Other times it seemed he was in everything, good and bad. As the year has progressed a balance has been found.
Against the Lions, where Cooper was captain, the Reds played an expansive game and relied heavily on him to put the ball into space, again and again.
He was on point for the majority of the night. A few mistakes marred the performance for some people, and that is the balance.
Fast forward to the third Bledisloe Test and Cooper had returned to the Wallabies helm.
The game plan was obviously to move the point of attack regularly, getting the ball to the likes of Israel Folau, Tevita Kuridrani and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
During that game he was sublime without being overbearing. The right players got the ball at the right times, including the second playmaker, Matt Toomua.
Cooper was a huge factor in the much-improved Wallabies attacking display.
The progression from erratic showman to maturing Test-quality player has been there for all willing to see it this year. It isn’t complete but there’s too much change to ignore.
Now, onto the bigger picture.
The Wallabies are a team in flux right now and McKenzie is desperately searching for people to be his agents of change in the side.
Horwill hasn’t been the same since he returned from a huge hamstring injury this year. That is probably a baseline reason for dropping him as captain, you need to be playing well.
I think the second reason for relieving him of captains duties is McKenzie isn’t happy with how Horwill has adjusted to change.
On the field Horwill hasn’t been as much of an influential leader. He has been more of a passive guide, rather than a force for change.
The Wallabies need change. Right now, the best person for the job of setting a culture and delivering McKenzie’s change is Ben Mowen.
Hands down the most brilliant part of Ben Mowen’s resume is the fact he was Jake White’s right-hand man for the project of quickly turning the flailing Brumbies around.
That achievement of leadership stands out more than any personal playing achievement or skill.
Once the state of flux around the Wallabies culture, style and personnel is resolved will Mowen still be the captain of this team?
Probably not.
No offence intended, but he’s just not a good enough player to guarantee that he earns his own selection on the kind of Wallabies XV McKenzie will have to mould if he has sights on winning a World Cup or Bledisloe Cup.
Who are the first players picked in a Wallabies side?
Will Genia, Stephen Moore and Adam Ashley-Cooper are the absolute locks. According to McKenzie’s patterns you can probably include Quade Cooper, Israel Folau then Michael Hooper.
After that is Mowen even the next man picked? Again, probably not.
Word is, barring injury to Rob Simmons, Horwill would have rode the pine against England and the locks would have been Simmons and Sitaleki Timani.
So you’d have to think Simmons is a high priority pick for McKenzie too.
You get the picture. Mowen is good but he’s not ever going to be a first-type captain.
Once David Pocock and Scott Higginbotham return (Wycliff Palu too, if he wasn’t always injured) Mowen is going to struggle to keep his place in the side at all.
Right now, in a funny sort of way, Australia and Mowen are in a serendipitous window where a good player maximising that potential, who has excellent leadership abilities, is exactly what is needed.
If that mix of needs occurred two years ago Mowen wouldn’t be ready. Two years from now there’s no telling if he would even be in the squad.
The V Man
Guest
You two see the game? It is quite obvious to me who knows what they are talking about....
The V Man
Guest
I gave always had so much admiration for Australians but it is official now...you have all gone raving mad! SERIOUSLY.......Quade Cooper! Mundine for coach now and James O'Connor for mental strength coach. COME ON! World rugby needs you guys and we across the ditch WANT to see you compete. Think Kieran Read as a VC. The most consulate pro you will see. Talismatic on the field and a man of the highest moral standard off it. A LEADER! Give me strength.
redheavy
Guest
Fair enough to quote another site, but it's good form to attribute the source and the author if known ;)
Zac McLean
Roar Pro
great comment. first bit of sense written on this thread.
Zac McLean
Roar Pro
Fair point but I think Deans deserves a lot of credit for blooding a lot of young guys into the Wallabies jersey. So that when we do have times of unprecedented injury, we still posess depth with test experience.
AlanKC
Guest
" I’ll bet he dreamed of being an AB." Hell of a big call.
AlanKC
Guest
One obvious point overlooked in your rant is that QC pulled his head in and JOC didn't (in case your still wondering "how JOC they punted but kept on this kiwi")...
bennalong
Guest
ELISHA, Feel the need to acknowledge your post. Obviously I agree with you (as I often do) so it took a Queenslander to jolt me into giving my own few cents worth
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Horwill has been out of form and needed to be replaced as captain the fact he has been selected to play due to an injury for this game means he is very lucky to get a 2nd chance. Mowen as captain (who else is there and it is most likely a caretaker role until Pocock comes back). As for Coopers role as Vice Captain which surprised me imo I would have looked at Genia who has captained the team previously then Adam Ashley Cooper who has over time proven himself to be an almost Conrad Smith type of player and personality. The All Blacks have McCaw, Read then Carter and C Smith all seasoned, proven leaders who can read the game inspire the players around them and this has been over a period where this team is not planing but raising the bar contrast that to the Wallabies desperate situation and to say 1 win and a credible loss with a coach who has verbally stated that he has the strategy to beat the All Blacks (hope he added the word consistently because even previous coaches have achieved the odd win) so currently for 2013 and with a 30% win rate to select Cooper as VC is interesting given he had other options available. My hope is that the Wallabies win v England so there would be a change in the rankings I presume.
LikesRugby
Guest
Actually there is an article on the SMH regarding NFJ and Poivedin's thoughts on Cooper recently.
expathack
Guest
I've got no idea what any of that is supposed to mean.
bennalong
Guest
Dave I appreciated your post despite reading what was obviously a Reds perspective I think your analogies are understandable and certainly are relevant because Deans is gone and the truth inevitably is written now by his successor EM. My own reality was that Deans was building a team from scratch. He then suffered serial injuries to his best players which continued for three seasons. He appreciated that the way to earn trust and commitment was to commit to his selections.He needed Quade to follow his game plan but QC was too immature and too pumped up by Super 15 success to take a position with less power than he was used to under Link, and to sacrifice his own vision for the honour of the Gold jersey . His attack on Deans was inexcusable and he deserved to be shafted. Enter McKenzie. The Deans era was summarily dismissed by a host of dumb changes, inexplicable unless you believe he was so cunning that he wanted it to appear the Wallabies hadn't come a long way under Deans! If you can explain his moves before the Bledisloe in any other way, go right ahead. While you're at it tackle his handling of the scrum, the breakdown and positional play, in defence particularly. Now, back to Quade Cooper. EM owes this bloke! He ran the Reds backline without a doubt. In a way fortune may have smiled on them both and therefore the Wallabies. QC needed a kick up the arse. He didn't value the "yellow" jersey and I'll bet he dreamed of being an AB. He was in it for glory. But he has copped his banishment and the disgrace that accompanied it and started to reinvent his gameplay almost from scratch. He appeared to want to simply act as a pivot that picked out his team mates, promoting them with his passing game. And all the while working to improve his courage in defence in order to earn their respect. Fate stepped in and rewarded him. McKenzie replaced Deans. After bizarre exclusion and despite EM's promotion of him when he wasn't in the team, what appeared to be a sure thing became a reality. I for one, am willing to give this bloke a go! In fact I'll back him to take us all foreward with the Wallabies. Let's start by defeating England! GO the WALLABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justin3
Guest
What has he done of field in the past 12 months or so, since his accurate toxic comments?
Sage
Guest
Is your brain hurting Bozo?
Sage
Guest
Far out. They even have their own dictionary? That's so awesome
Argyle
Roar Guru
Tame, What you fail to acknowledge is how instrumental McKenzie was in those players development. Genial, Cooper, the Fiangaa's all credit McKenzie in helping them become better players and become a better team. Deans was a far more successful coach at Super level but not at test level, after given ample opportunity. I've never heard one of players you mention credit Robbie Deans for their personal development. I could be wrong but don't recall it. In fact Deans picked Reds players that McKenzie developed. Luke Burgess was Deans first choice 9 until he basically passed the ball to the English back line. Deans kept Genia on the bench for too long. Afraid to make tough decisions. McKenzie is not, that rubs certain people the wrong way like NSW Rugby and dare I say his club in Paris. The Wallabies in 2013 have scored more points against the All Blacks and had less scored against them in them over 3 tests in comparison to 2012. Richard Harry quoted in today's roar comments on McKenzie. I think the Australian Rugby Have a much better insight than you Tane. You should show more respect.
Darth Vadar
Guest
+1
Darth Vadar
Guest
Jake has a game plan?
Darth Vadar
Guest
I think Ewen's knuckles were white from grasping at more than straws this year while coaching from the sidelines - encourage him to do it more - provides more material for comedy central.
Darth Vadar
Guest
maybe if you open your other eye?