While I was a young rugby player I was also an infantry officer in the Australian Army.
During the weekdays I would train with other grown men crawling around in the dirt, fostering controlled aggression and implementing plans with decisiveness, knowledge and self belief.
On the weekends I would throw on footy shorts and do exactly the same thing.
One of the hardest things for a young officer was walking into a platoon that had been commanded by a Sergeant in his absence and attempt to take the reins as smoothly as possible.
Even with the military culture being as strictly hierarchical and supportive of such leadership changes, there would always be a certain amount of friction and in some cases resentment, as the new commander was appointed while the interim choice stepped aside to offer support and advice.
During the most successful World Cup bids by Australian rugby – Nick Farr Jones led 1991 World Cup side, the John Eales led 1999 side and the overachieving 2003 George Gregan led side – there has been a stand out of constants.
Firstly, that the side would field at least half a team of players that were considered the absolute best in the world at their respective position, that there was an innovative coach, that there was a strong experience base and leadership group and, finally, that there was a leader who stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Although in 1991 there was a bevy of leaders on the field from Simon Poidevin and Micheal Lynagh to a young John Eales and Phil Kearns – there was no question in anyone’s mind heading into the tournament that Nick Farr Jones was captain.
Similarly in 1999, John Eales was without doubt the man who was preferred by all to be the man in the hot seat.
In 2003 it was George Gregan’s very Steve Waugh-like approach to the Wallabies captaincy that exacted a work ethic out of a team that had them almost steal the World Cup from the greatest English side that has ever played.
After the French Test series we seem in a worse position than ever to define who is the Australian captain for the next World Cup. If every player that has worn the armband is in career best form come then who would you select?
Michael Hooper is a captain that fits the mould for Australia. Tough, articulate, explosive, tireless and talented. There is a clear argument that his form at present makes him irreplaceable in the team.
That is until David Pocock returns.
We were quick to forget how good George Smith was until he returned for the Brumbies last season and outplaying everyone. Pocock in form is the man who deposed Smith in his prime. As good as Hooper is, it would be very hard to imagine him turning in a performance as complete as Pocock’s against the Sprinboks in the last Rugby World Cup semi-final.
It was not long ago that James Horwill seemed like the man to take the Wallabies armband for the next few years. Even under the constant cloud of injury his talisman-like effect on the Reds even from the sidelines made him a favourite of pundits and selectors alike.
Ben Mowen held the armband after Horwill and Will Genia lost form, and Stephen Moore seemed an obvious choice after Mowen’s departure. But once the injuries have healed and World Cup selection looms, who is the stand out?
It is a nice thought that they would all be gracious to give up the captain’s armband. In a team full of elite alpha male competitors it is not realistic to expect it. When such a large portion have tasted the honour without a clear successor it will no doubt create friction.
The truth is that among the 20 alpha males of a rugby Test team, and like all combat units, it must have a clear and distinguishable leader.
How important is the team captain to the team’s performance? Although it would be hard to argue that the rugby captain’s role on the field has as great an effect on a rugby team as, let’s say, a Test cricket team, the type of leader required is one that sets an example at all times.
He needs to inspire the younger, more wayward players to act in the interests of team, foster respect for the honour of playing for the Wallabies and appreciate the privileges and burdens that comes from being an idol of the masses.
In professional sport, where salaries are as inflated as some of the egos, a lack of defined leadership can be as destructive as poor leadership. Just ask the English football team.
McKenzie knows people. His ability to keep good players at the Reds, regardless of their wooden spoon status, and attempts to build leaders in the ranks have been proven. Even his promotion of Quade Cooper to vice captain seems to be a masterstroke to bring out the best in the mercurial fly half.
McKenzie understands that some individuals will raise their performance to suit the role, where others will carry it like a burden. The musical chairs approach with the captaincy of late, however, has reached a point were it is diluting the prestige of the position and and placing limits on the appointed captain’s cultural influence.
The ARU has to get behind a man to lead us to the next World Cup. I believe in terms of character, poise and sheer physical presence it is very hard to disregard a healthy David Pocock. When all of the recent leaders are lined up and in form, he stands out from the esteemed crowd.
Who would you pick?
Wolfpack
Guest
anyone know who the favourites are to join pool A as playoff winner. Russia or uruguay?
Dru
Guest
Don't think Ewan would have made a different decision if Quade was available. For that matter I'd take Toomua in front of Quade for Captain. VC is different. I have no doubt that a fit QC will not take long before he was back in the run on spot. Not Captain though.
Dru
Guest
This response needs consideration.
Chan Wee
Guest
that is where u r wrong. 1. it was Ewen M as coach of Reds who made Cooper skipper against the BILs. he did very well IMO. 2. it was EM who made Cooper VC of the Wallabies. I bet had he been fit , he would be the skipper after Moore. I have seen Shane Warne captain in IPL up close. he is fantastic. I think tony Greig said he was the best captain OZ never had. the problem with OZ is as i say the English hangover. they want straight laced, clean cut , smart looking "lads" to be the captain. guys like Warne Cooper Cahill dont fit that bill. look at England cricket with Cook, no imagination but looks good on the field :P
niwdeyaj
Guest
I like Cooper, but you're joking right? In my opinion he's Australia's best 10 by a country mile (until Larkham switches CLL & Toomua around and the former gets back his 2012 form in what was his best position) but captain material he is not...
Chan Wee
Guest
England - TOM WOOD , JOE LAUNCHBURY , MANU TUILAGUI , TOM CROFT NZ - forget Coles , they got Mealamu ;)
Chan Wee
Guest
How come everyone has forgotten thast COOPER is injured and will return soon. I think he shud be skipper, but get the feeling it will be SHANE WARNE part II - the best captain Australia never had !!!
Chan Wee
Guest
talking of timing, didn't Sean get to playin 87 world cup becoz the incumbent hooker Andrew Dalton was injured ? as Dean JOnes used to say LUCK IS A FORTUNE MA8 ;)
Demark
Guest
Great article Andrew one that will be debated well into the future. My take is that Hooper is not the man to lead the country at this point in time just a great shame about Moore. I' agree 100% with your leadership beliefs I am not comfortable with him as a captain as apposed to a leader within the group, his style of play with the courage and commitment he displays can't be doubted. I feel there is a touch of petulance about some of his interviews and when he got marched for backchat last week sadly that confirmed for me what I thought to be correct. ie not ready As for the Pocock v Hooper debate it will be very interesting what will happen if and when Pocock returns from injury. For me if both me were at there absolute best I would pick Pocock everyday of the week because his power at the breakdown is far fsuperior and given that the breakdown is such a critical platform to win its there where I see the most value.Yes Hooper is probably quicker in open play but if we win the breakdown we now have a talented back line to do the outside work.
Joe Blow
Guest
Gotta be Stephen Moore when all are fit. Hooper will be our first choice 7 even if Pocock is fit. Pocock would be a great bench option to cover the whole back row.
Pitbox
Roar Rookie
The only guys guaranteed a place (no BS, no favouritism) are Hooper, Toomua, Fardy, Palu & Folau. Some are reasonably solid - TPN, Slipper, Simmons, Kepu. AAC is a bench spot at least. But as for the rest, their are a number of options available. I dont think Cooper will walk back in either. I can see Cooper not being overly pleased with that scenario (I think Foley the better candidate at the moment) though he would be ideal to being off the bench late in a game to spark it. BUT, could Coopers ego cope with that role? From the "guarantee" list (with Moore no longer on that list) Hooper is the obvious choice as Capt for RC and EOYT. (He's done a solid job so far, has handled the task well for Tahs too). Beyond that, really depends on Moore's recovery from injury in tandem with form. IF successful in the next 2 series, why go into 2015 with a different Capt - unless - he has a MASSIVE form slump. Massive, form slump. The thing is, either Moore, Pocock or Hooper would fit the bill as they are all humble, hard working, no nonsense players and characters. But injury has played its part and I dont see any point appointing a Capt only to tell him the next year you may not be in the job as someone else is returning.
Harry Jones
Guest
Folau, AAC, Quade, Moore, Genia, Pocock/Hooper... Who else is possible "World XV material?" (None of those are consensus picks...) England: no-one except Brown and Corbisiero... SA: le Roux, Habana, JdV, FdP, Beast, Bismarck, Etzebeth, Matfield, Louw, Vermeulen. NZ: their whole team except Coles?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Pocock at his best was a much better forward than Hooper, but if we'll see Pocock at anywhere near his best again is highly questionable.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Yep, and Higgs is an 80 minute guy so he can slip back to 8 and bring Fardy on at 6 when Palu starts to blow... Much more versatile than Hooper/Fardy at 6 & 7 to start...
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
At international level under McKenzie he's only been hot... Don't be fooled by Link's slow re-introduction of him.. He was vice captain before the injury don't forget... Link knows Cooper can deliver on different game plans and with a stronger pack, we're less likely to see him go cold at International level...
Daws
Guest
Coopers spring tour last year was sublime, as was his form in the dead rubber match against NZ. Foley is good, Cooper is better.
Geoffwho
Guest
I don't think he will walk back into the jersey but he will be brought back into the fold straight away. The only real question from the French series that was not silenced was the 9-10 set up. Having said that, if Australia wins the Rugby Championship with that pairing, it will be all over bar the shouting.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Moore should be the choice. When will Pocock be back? As it stands, Pocock will be right down the pecking order behind Hooper, Hodgson and Gill. After the WC, I'd expect Hooper to take over.
RobC
Roar Guru
Great article. Hooper is an able stand-in Captain. Next year captain would be interesting to see, depending on availability. However the challenge for RWC for Australia is to field, as Andrew put it, the best 6+ players in the world, and a decent kicker. I would also add, the best combinations, including set piece, mid field and backrow.
Nek Minnut
Guest
Yes an inform Poco©k would put pressure on Hooper but players are picked for more reasons than form. Poco©k will leave Australia after the WC imo and will rule himself out of the captaincy and preferred starters spot.