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All I’ve been hearing about lately are the Wallaby prospects for the 2015 Rugby World Cup that is 655 days away. This columnist won’t be mentioning the tournament for at least 600 of them.
The more important discussion is the now – and Ben Mowen – the most pilloried Wallaby captain in my near 50 years of covering the game they play in heaven, and for many years before that.
Mowen is alleged to have survived a mutiny delegation after the losing to England that stuffed up a grand slam prospect at the first hurdle, and many are predicting he’s just an interim Wallaby captain who won’t get picked once David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, and Wycliff Palu return from injury next year.
Let’s deal with the mutiny first, who could possibly have been involved?
Quade Cooper, appointed vice-captain of his country for the first time and still rehabbing within the side to regain their trust and respect? No.
Two former captains – James Horwill and Will Genia – both of whom were struggling to retain their place in the side let alone having aspirations to regain the captaincy? No.
Mowen’s Brumby team-mates he has led so successfully over the last two seasons – Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Scott Fardy, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Tevita Kuridrani, and Joe Tomane? No.
Michael Hooper, who played under Mowen last season before switching to the Waratahs? No.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, a real team man, with cage rattling not in his nature. No.
Israel Folau, or Nick Cummins? No.
That leaves nobody of real import in the so-called mutiny delegation. In a word, it’s weak-willed.
Will the return of Pocock, Higginbotham, and Palu end Mowen’s 14-Test career where it started? Let’s take a look.
Pocock’s return won’t affect Mowen one scrap – that will be Hooper’s concern who will have to switch to 6, or come off the bench.
Higginbotham has turned in many blinders for the Queensland Reds, and ever since he was appointed captain of the Melbourne Rebels has only done more. But in his 23 Tests he hasn’t shown the same dominance. He is not a number one choice as a Wallaby, except off the bench.
Palu, now there’s a blessed Wallaby. He has played 49 Tests, while the Wallabies have played over 100 since 2006.
Palu has spent more time on the operating/physio table than Shane Watson, and that takes some beating.
No argument he can be a powerhouse, but he can’t be relied on to even make the oranges without coming a cropper, and that makes him a liability not an asset. Bench at best.
The Mowen knockers will have to wait. Barring injury he is rightfully Wallaby captain, up to and including that tournament I won’t mention for at least 600 days.