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NSW Waratahs captain Dave Dennis was surprised by Ben Mowen’s appointment as Wallabies skipper and his subsequent decision to quit Australian rugby.
Mowen, who replaced James Horwill as captain on last year’s Spring Tour, last week announced he was leaving Australian rugby at the end of the 2014 season and would play in France.
Fellow back-rower Dennis, another member of that spring tour squad, compared Mowen’s unexpected appointment as captain to his own situation at NSW last year, when Michael Cheika made him leader ahead of perhaps more fancied and better credentialed players.
“I think it was a bit of a surprise to be honest, it was his first year (in the Wallabies team),” Dennis said of Mowen’s appointment.
“I think there’s was other senior guys in the group that may have got the position.
“There’s going to be that element of surprise no different to maybe when I got the captaincy here (at the Waratahs) last year.
“Guys probably took a while to adjust, but we finished the year with four wins.
“I think that’s a reflection of how it fell into place at the end.”
Like most members of the Australian rugby community, Dennis was caught off guard by Mowen’s decision to leave Australia, something he isn’t contemplating in the short term.
“I’m very happy in Australia and I want to try and play as many games for the Waratahs and Wallabies as I can,” Dennis said.
Dennis believes he will continue to develop as a captain.
“Last year for me was a different year, I think getting the captaincy was not something I expected, but something I really enjoyed doing,” Dennis said.
“Probably this year for me, it’s more important for me to focus more on my own game and let the other things take their course.”
Cheika said Dennis did reasonably well in his first year as captain.
“I won’t say he was perfect, because I think he was learning as well,” Cheika said.
“This year I expect him to be much better versed in leading the team.”
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.