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I must admit I was as surprised as anyone when Quade Cooper was announced as vice captain of the Wallabies on Thursday.
I was equally as surprised to see Horwill stripped of the captaincy.
However after a day of afterthought, I am more intrigued than surprised, and starting to think this was a very smart move from Mr. McKenzie.
I have never been a huge fan of Cooper at No. 10, probably because of my affection for the old school distributing, reliable five eighth play rather than the unpredictable, exciting but also hit and miss style utilised by Cooper.
Five eighth selection squabble aside, the most important asset to success for a rugby team is stability, and a knowledge of the coach supporting his players.
Announcing Cooper as vice captain silences all debate on who our starting No. 10 will be (at least for this season) and allows Cooper to play with the confidence and support that his best form requires.
It also opens up the contest of selection in the No. 12 role, a position that is performed admirably by either Christian Lealiifano or Matt Toomua.
Australia has always performed its best with a long term five eighth, as it is such an integral position to our style of play.
We cannot easily adapt to a new No. 10 as New Zealand or South Africa, or rely on our forwards to carry the team if the backs fail to fire.
Of course my assertion could backfire and Cooper now instead of relishing his newfound support in the side, could rest on his laurels and become complacent.
But I do not think this will be the case with the looming shadow of Toomua remaining if Cooper returns to his 2011/2012 form.
The Horwill decision was a difficult one, especially because of how good Horwill has been for us in the past, the respect he commands from his peers and the clear passion he has for the green and gold.
However he isn’t playing like his usual self, slow to the breakdown, and rarely going over the advantage line with ball in hand.
Maybe this is because the burden of captaincy has taken his toll, maybe he has experienced too many losses in too short of a time and he has taken too much responsibility.
All I know is that before Horwill was captain, he was one of the best second rowers in the world, his mongrel, aggression and leadership from the front made him one of the first players selected.
Perhaps without the burden of the captaincy, he will be able to release himself from these pressures and play like his destructive self. It is a tough ask to start in a side a week after being stripped of the captaincy mind you.
McKenzie said he would be making some tough decisions when he was made coach and here he has made one of the toughest decisions of the Australian professional era.
If there is any coach that Horwill would respond to, and respect their decision however it is McKenzie.
Let’s hope this leadership revolution will have a galvanising force on the side, allowing Horwill to play unburdened, and Cooper to revell in his newfound backing by both players and coach.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.