Incumbent Test skipper Ben Mowen has become an unexpected addition to the chorus of rugby pundits calling for his own axing from the Wallabies.
Mowen shocked all in January when he announced he was joining French rugby after the 2014 Super Rugby season instead of leading the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup.
Mowen on Friday responded to claims by his former Brumbies coach Jake White that he should be overlooked for the June internationals against France.
Rather than disagree with his former mentor, Mowen admitted he was “thinking along the same lines”.
“I don’t think guys who take themselves out of reckoning to be in the World Cup squad this close to it should be taking spots up,” Mowen said.
“You need to really be building a squad and giving guys experience that you are going to use.
“And I’m not going to be there.”
Whether Mowen plays in the three Test series against France will ultimately come down to Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.
McKenzie dumped James Horwill as skipper in favour of Mowen last October – just three months before Mowen announced he had signed with French club Montpellier.
A decision to overlook Mowen for the upcoming internationals will be made easier by the strong form of Melbourne Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham and NSW Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu.
However, White – who led the Springboks to 2007 World Cup glory, on Thursday warned against selecting Mowen even if needed.
“If he’s made up his mind that he’d like to go to greener pastures, you’ve got to afford him that,” White said.
“You can’t then expect him to give you 100 per cent if you need him sometimes.
“To be fair, his mind’s not in it.”
Chan Wee
Guest
Ranger was capped in 2010. he was also a NZ 7S player before that !!!
Zero Gain
Guest
Your wrong, he values the gold jersey more than most, that is why he spoke out.
Zero Gain
Guest
Looks like he is too smart for you too, Tane.
Jimbo81
Guest
1. White is a massive w4nker 2. Mowen has done the right thing
Tane Mahuta
Guest
All depends. I think the most "balanced" backrow would be Fardy, Palu and Hooper but you have to consider the forward pack as a whole, who he uses in the the 2nd row matters a lot and even which front rowers he selects makes a difference. Foe example, if he was to select Horwill and Douglas in the 2nd row, it may be best to pick a Mowen or (forgive me) a Dave Dennis. If Australia was to have a Mulipola or M.Vunipola in the front row it may allow them to go for a workhorse like McCalman at 8. I think SA is allowed to overlook Brussow partly because Biz gives them a pilfer option at hooker. Ive been a little disapointed with Higgers recently so I personally would have McCalman in the 23 but on the bench.
roardog
Guest
PiratesRugby from a person that knows his family well you couldn,t meet more genuine or honest people that love Qld and australia. His sisters are going for the next Olympics as beach volleyballers.
Adsa
Guest
After more than a decade of NZ dominance Bazza I don't think you can say that NZ ambush the wallyB's !
PiratesRugby
Guest
Mowen sound like a good bloke.
Magic Sponge
Guest
And people wonder why we cant win the Bledisloe. You need every player on the same page with passion for the jersey.
Rob G
Guest
And made vice captain. Go figure.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Is saying that he agrees and probably shouldnt play for Australia defusing the comment? I dont think so, he is not only reminding everyone of it but hes given it the thumbs up.
Magic Sponge
Guest
I did not think people who did not value the gold jersey would be picked, but hey qc is still getting selected.
Garth
Guest
In Rangers case, that may have been a strategic move, he can no longer be lured into representing another nation. SBW.... well, at the time our stocks in the centres were low. Not so much these days. Mowen is showing serious moral courage in putting the long-term welfare of the Wallabies over any short-term benefits.
Crazy Horse
Guest
If Mowen isn't in the picture McCalman is the obvious choice for number 8.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I disagree WNM. The World Cup is next year and the Wallabies play France in a few weeks. That is the game that needs to be won. Hansen had no problems selecting SBW and Rene Ranger for a few games in the knowledge that they were only available temporarily. He did that because he thought he had a better chance of winning with them rather than without them. If the Wallabies need Mowen and his captaincy to get across the line then the team will be better for it. Even if it takes "development" from someone else. It is TEST rugby. You either win or lose. You develop along the way. If Folau was leaving at the end of the season and the Bledisloe was tied with one last game to decide it would you play Folau or give his spot to the next best? Mowen should play if picked and it is up to his competitors if they can displace him. Also I agree the there are some very short memories here. Mine sometimes too. The team of the week is one of the better reads each week. Thank you for it. Makes me look a lot closer at some of these fringe players I miss otherwise..
Daz
Guest
You can bet London to a brick if White was the Wallaby coach the first person he'd pick would be Mowen and he'd be captain even if he is heading overseas. Jake is playing some little mind games. First with Mowen because "No one was expecting me to captain the Brumbies when I came down here, but Jake was adamant I was going to be the bloke and he backed me." Jake knows Mowen is the backbone of the Brumbies so he is doing some little psychological undermining on behalf of his new team the Sharks. Then there's McKenzie, Jake's rival who pipped him for the job he covets. As good a coach as he is, and he is good, he threw a hissy fit and left halfway through his term. Does anyone really think he is giving good advice and wants McKenzie to do well? And what right does White have to comment on Wallaby selections now? In a word none.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
“You need to really be building a squad and giving guys experience that you are going to use. And I’m not going to be there.” Bit of a defiance here from Mowen in a very matter of fact tone. He clearly doesn't sound emotionally attached to the wallabies jersey, which is fair enough. Cant help but think he feels he has been unfairly treated during his career, hence his decision to move to France.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
It is time to avoid another ambush from NZ.... The Oz pool is going to be the most interesting of the 2015 competition!
roardog
Guest
Nigel Mowen made it clear last week he has been in regular contact with White since he left , White by coming out and saying what he said is probably just expressing Mowen,s feelings and in turn this is one way to make sure McKenzie doesn,t make the mistake of selecting him in the short turn just to win Tests against France instead of looking forward to the big picture which is the World Cup.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
It is the most logical course of action, why select chaps that are heading overseas, it took Jake White and Mowen to call it, Mckenzie if worth his salt should be on the same page, these are valuable Test matches to blood the chaps we are going to use and high time a captain is chosen to lead the way forward, Adam Ashley Cooper should be that man!!