Michael Cheika dropped a bombshell by dropping Stephen Moore as Wallabies captain ahead of the Fiji match in Melbourne on Saturday.
He magnified the decision by axing Moore from the starting line-up as well.
But the Australian coach didn’t finish there, he reappointed Michael Hooper as captain.
No, coach – no, no, no.
Moore has been skipper for 25 Tests, winning 14, but last year the Wallabies won only six from 15, so there was no doubt Moore was under the pump. But even though Hooper is a world-class No.7, he’s not captain material.
Hooper’s already led the Wallabies 13 times for just five wins, seven losses, and a draw. That track record should have been enough for Cheika to look elsewhere.
Hooper won the coveted John Eales Medal last season, but he didn’t inspire the Waratahs with just eight wins from 15 starts despite the roster being chockfull of Wallabies.
This season Hooper has been even less inspirational as Waratahs skipper with just four wins from 12 starts.
It’s true the Wallabies are light on for potential skippers, with the exception of Will Genia. The champion halfback would be inspirational, and perfectly placed so close to the pack, and to pull the trigger to set his backline in motion.
And Brumbies skipper Sam Carter would be the ideal vice-captain, leaving Hooper free of any executive decision to solely concentrate on his role in the tight, and the loose.
Those decisions apart, Cheika has made a positive move to get back into victory mode.
The recognition of virtual tyro Waratah flanker Ned Hanigan deserves a salute, even though the Waratahs website gives the 22-year-old precious little recognition.
His profile has only his date of birth, height and weight, and describes him as a lock. But this young bloke is a goer, and barring injury will be around for a long time.
The other debutant will be inside centre Karmichael Hunt to join Israel Folau as a dual international.
Hunt has had his off-field problems and was lucky not to be heavily penalised. But to his credit he has his life back on track, and like Hanigan deserves his first gold jersey.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
To prove how much Cheika has rattled the Wallabies cage, only Hooper among the forwards for Saturday played in the last Test against England at Twickenham in December.
And only four backs are returning – Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, and the goal-kicking Bernard Foley.
It’s an entirely new front row with Scott Sio, Moore and Sekope Kepu missing, a complete set of new locks with Kane Douglas and Rob Simmons gone, and with David Pocock and Lopeti Timani also missing.
Among the backs, there’s no Reece Hodge, Sefa Naivalu, nor Nick Phipps.
Cheika has sure moved swiftly, with a much-needed shakeup.
The starting line-up has been announced already, with the bench soon to be named as well:
1. Tom Robertson (7 caps)
2. Tatafu Polita-Nau (68)
3 Allan Alaalatoa (9)
4. Sam Carter (13)
5. Adam Coleman (9)
6. Ned Hanigan (debut)
7. Michael Hooper (c – 65)
8. Scott Higginbotham (32)
9. Will Genia (75)
10. Bernard Foley (42)
11. Henry Speight (11)
12. Karmichael Hunt (debut)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (45)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (14)
15. Israel Folau (52)
Neil
Guest
Hooper does not command respect by whom, Wallace? You? Your view is irrelevant, as it is obvious that the players respect him and that is what counts.
soapit
Guest
except that hardly any super rugby players would be good enough to take advantage of this "easy" path
Wallace footrot
Guest
Completely agree. The most durable person in any organisation does not equate to the best leader. Hooper is not mature and does not command respect. He is a very good player but that does not mean he is a has the skills for leadership decision making. He is a favourite of cheika's and his decision making is questionable at best.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Or the morality it seems. And by his latest quote that has not changed. You cant eradicate your mistakes but you should learn from them. If he is making comment as suggested by X then he hasn't.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
How many beers did you have ??? i think WS overwhelmed Brodie once mid game but he did surprise everyone with his new attitude. Now they know he can actually play with attitude at the top level they will adjust and give him more attention and respect. A better contest in sight.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
No pk, i have a normal tv :)
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Strange comment - on the one hand you say Pocock is self indulgent (while he is saving the world for your children's children....) then you say he has a higher purpose almost as a derisory comment then you say he is an exceptional leader. Fact is he appears to have community based principles and works for the good of the community as opposed to those current 'leaders' who are all about their own power and their own party hierarchy... he is to be admired for his various stands because he is prepared to walk the walk... as opposed to those self indulgent politicians who talk the walk and that is far as they go - and that applies to virtually all of them apart from a bloke by the name of Ludlam...
Neil
Guest
Well said generally, Jeremy. On Hooper as a player, this skill (apart from leadership), the ability to play right on the edge of the laws, is what made Sir Richie the best we will probably ever see.
Neil
Guest
I think you may be correct, Lano. He will play rugby, and do it well, but it will not be his passion. In any event, i don't understand why Pocock is seen to be the answer as a potential captain. I dont think he would even want the job given the bile that gets dumped on the current enccumbents. He has been wallaby skipper 5 times, even less than George Smith, who i still think was our best ever 7.
PeterK
Roar Guru
unless he realises that the lessons he learnt, the mistakes he made are the making of his captaincy now. probably too deep for hooper BUT it is a possibility, a self aware person would not eradicate all their mistakes from the past.
PeterK
Roar Guru
well interesting that skelton has now come good , looking at nick bishop's article. That aside. Surely being right and them not in the side should mean you would keep watching.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
...and probably still texting photos for Beale to forward to the wrong people as well.?
Lano
Roar Guru
Pockocks too busy self-indulging finding new obscure causes and farm gates, safe places and defending cultural appropriations. I doubt he'll ever come back to rugby. I think he has a higher purpose in mind. But agree, he is an exceptional leader.
Lano
Roar Guru
Agree. I put him behind Eales as a leader. He's an inspiration. His team mates are not.
Lano
Roar Guru
Lies, damned lies and statics. I'd put Hooper second on this list, behind Eales.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Thats a tough one.3 to go and risk being penalised similar to blues lions game.Worked for AB s in 11 finale but booting it down field is an option .
soapit
Guest
not especially neil. tho i cant recall too many example from simmons tbh
Sprigs
Guest
If he picked Hodge, he would guarantee the other side would play conservatively. Very important in later tests, especially against the All Blacks. The man can boot it over from 60 metres plus.
Jeremy Brown
Roar Pro
I agree with both Ed and Yogafire. Winning percentages aren't the only measure of leadership. The quality of players, coaching, opposition and frequency of matches against opponents are also contributing factors. The wallabies played the all blacks more often than any other team during a period in which the men in black won two world cups, maintained a win rate in excess of 90% and featured some of the greatest players they have ever had. The current coach will be considered one of their best too. Surely this needs to be considered for a balanced assessment? As an all blacks fan I've always found Hooper to be a niggly frustrating type of player; who plays on the edge of the laws. I think the current Wallaby team could do with a bit more of that.
mtiger
Guest
If only Reds have Thurston and Slater