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Hooker Stephen Moore has been named captain of the Wallabies for the three-Test series against France that kicks off next Saturday at Suncorp.
He will be playing his 92nd Test and has beaten two former skippers James Horwill and Will Genia for the coveted brief.
Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper will be the vice captains in a revamped leadership team for Australia.
But Moore is the man of the moment, and was under no illusions as to what the job meant.
“It’s extremely humbling to be given the opportunity, especially when you consider the number of exceptional leaders we have in the current Australian squad,” Moore said.
“It’s a huge honour but for me the most important thing is not about getting an opportunity, it’s ultimately about what you do with it.
“It’s an absolute privilege every time you wear the green and gold jersey and as captain I want to ensure this attitude is reflected through the actions of the entire squad in everything we do.
“The most successful leaders I’ve played under have been those who let their actions do the talking. This a proven leadership approach.
“As a team, our first job for 2014 is a tough three-game Test series against the French.
“They’re always an unpredictable opponent, so we’ll focus all our energy on Saturday’s opening game.”
What stands out about him is his unflagging energy and dedication, and even though he has never captained a side he has built-in leadership qualities by the bucket-load. Ewen McKenzie was quick to point out these qualities in Moore.
“They’ve all been recognised for the contributions they make to the Wallabies environment and I’m confident they possess the right leadership attributes to take this team to the next level,” McKenzie said.
“It’s a new group of leaders with a variety of personalities and experiences, where in combination they are empowered to help set a new direction towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
“For Stephen, I want to congratulate him on what is a huge personal achievement in being chosen to lead your country.
“He has been in and around the leadership setup at a provincial and national level for a long time and as a result has experienced and seen almost every possible sporting leadership scenario. He won’t be fazed by the challenge of captaincy.
“He understands what works well and why, and I think the added responsibility will suit him and the direction we are taking the team.
“When I consider what qualities are important for the captain of this team, I’m looking for someone who drives positive outcomes across all areas of High Performance.
“Captaincy is a 24/7 commitment and one where the person chosen must be heavily involved in the day-to-day business functions of the teams. Stephen ticks all of those boxes, in addition to being a player who leads by example on the field.”
More importantly, there wouldn’t be a Wallaby in the Test team to be announced tomorrow who would begrudge Stephen Moore the highest honour in Australian rugby.
Moore is only the fifth hooker to captain the Wallabies.
The four previous hookers among the 81 Wallaby captains are Allen Oxlade in 1904, Nev Cottrell in the early ’50s, Peter Johnson in the early ’70s, and Phil Kearns nearly 20 years ago.
Hookers, fullbacks, and wingers have been the least likely Wallaby captains since Frank Row was the first in 1908. Only five hookers, three props and two wingers have had the honour to captain the Wallabies.
Gordon’s Bob Davidson was the last prop in the 1950s, Johnnie Wallace the last winger in the 1920s.
Centres have been the most capped Wallaby captains with 17, closely followed by 16 locks and 15 flankers – or 60 per cent all up.
The last centre was Stirling Mortlock, the last lock Horwill, the last flanker David Pocock. There have been nine half-backs, the last Genia, and six fly-halves,the last Mark Ella.
Herbert Moran and Arch Winning hold a special part of Wallaby history. They are the only two to captain the Wallabies in the only Test they ever played – Moran against Wales at Cardiff in 1908, and Winning in 1951 against the All Blacks at the SCG.
Today is Moore’s day, and it’s a thoroughly deserved accolade for a great servant of Australian rugby. His appointment is a rollicking start to finishing off the French.
Stephen Moore
Born: 20.1.83 in Saudi Arabia
Position: Hooker
Height: 186cm
Weight: 112kg
Test caps: 91
Test debut: June 2005 v Samoa in Sydney
World Cups: Played in 2007 and 2011
Super Rugby caps: 131
2003-08 – Queensland 46 caps
2009-14 – Brumbies 85 caps