As the 2020 season comes to a close, Dave Rennie will have seen the end of his first rock-and-roll season with the Wallabies filled with plenty of ups and downs as well as the unearthing of some new talent in the likes of Matt Philip, Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami.
However, the draw with Argentina drew attention to the underlying question mark of who should be Australian captain given Michael Hooper’s questionable performance and leadership. Here is a breakdown of the contenders with a chance of filling the captaincy for the green and gold.
Michael Hooper
Why he will be captain
He’s one of the best flankers in the world and has over 100 caps at the prime age of 29. He has captained over 50 Tests and Rennie may opt for conservative approaches in order to keep Hooper at the forefront of the team.
Why he won’t be captain
Hooper’s form has not dipped since late 2018, but his role certainly changed. Hooper changed from being a proper fetcher to someone having to do the dirty work for most of his pack. A game that shows this was against Wales in the World Cup in which Hooper carried tenaciously despite his size disadvantage.
Moreover, many question if Hooper holds a losing mentality similar to that of Michael Cheika and his resignation as Waratahs skipper is a sign that perhaps he would prefer getting back to playing his best rugby, which Australia need. With Hoops going to Japan in 2021, perhaps it is time for Rennie to look elsewhere for captaincy material.
(Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Allan Alaalatoa
Why he will be captain
Named after Australian cricket captain Allan Border, the Brumbies veteran has the Test experience necessary for captaining the Wallabies. Alaalatoa is a calm leader and has led the Brumbies to the SR AU title as well as them being a force in Super Rugby – the Brumbies are one of the best club sides in the world. Alaalatoa could be Rennie’s next captain due to his cool but influential leadership.
Why he won’t be captain
Alaalatoa is competing with Taniela Tupou for the tighthead jersey. Whilst both are quality Test players, Alaalatoa would have to win the starting jersey outrightl before being considered for Wallabies captaincy.
Matt Philip
Why he could be captain
Philip has been Australia’s player of the season and is quickly becoming one of the best engines in world rugby. He does the ugly work very well and is a good winner in collisions. He lets his rugby do the talking, which is what Australia might need.
He is a quality player for the Melbourne Rebels. A stint in France will hopefully improve his already impressive game, which could see him return to Australia an even better player than he is right now.
Why he won’t be captain
It is early days for Philip. The stint in France may already end the talk of him being considered for captaincy. Could he maintain his consistently good performances under the pressure of being captain?
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Liam Wright
Why he could be captain
He is only 23, but Wright has been outstanding for the Reds in Super Rugby leading from the front. A direct competitor for the 7 jersey, Wright may also be the like-for-like replacement fetcher for Hooper.
Why he won’t be captain
Wright needs to break into the starting team. Like Alaalatoa, he has been given scarce opportunities. His performances from the bench have been short but decent cameos to suggest that Wright does have a future in the Wallabies’ set up. However, I would prefer to see him get a few starts and show us why he is a brutal flanker before becoming the heir to the captaincy.
Harry Wilson
Why he has a chance of being captain
The hearty, ever-giving eighth man has been imperious this season for the Reds and Australia. Like Philip, he does the talking on the pitch and his inspirational performances suggest he could be a good enough leader for Rennie.
Why he won’t be captain
Perhaps it is too early for young Harry Wilson. He is becoming a regular in the team but at the age of 21, it is a big ask to give him the armband yet. Come 2023, it could be a different question though. The next Kieran Read.
Matt To’omua
Why he has a slight chance of being captain
A Wallabies veteran, he has been criminally underrated as a very skilful playmaker. I think 12 is his best position to utilise his kicking game and brutal defence. He has the experience of two World Cup campaigns and is a selfless player that can play 10, 12 or a finishing replacement.
Unders, surely you can’t name a back as captain
This is why the chance of To’omua being the skipper is very limited. Some teams do give the captaincy to the 10 or 12 like England, Ireland and Scotland (Stuart Hogg), but this is Rennie’s preference. The purists among us perhaps would find it unusual to see To’omua given the captaincy. He may be better off as a lieutenant in the trenches rather than the out-and-out general.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Hooper has failed. 6xA's should be on the bench. Phillip is a maybe. Liam Wright can't get into the team. Harry Wilson is a maybe, too young. To'omua is past it. Bring back Quade; he always wants to kick for goal (even though he's not as good at it as he thinks he is). BeePeeAyee is charming and may fit the bill.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
That’s basically what I’m getting at. Seems like if current rules are enforced uniformly it is extremely perilous to clean out a jackler in the classic pocock body position.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Then perhaps you don't pick certain blokes who don't know the difference between good rugby, and playing with your drinking buddies. Or just don't pick any Tahs and everyone will be happy
Tony H
Roar Pro
I would suggest that's the advantage of getting to the breakdown first. The question then becomes how to secure the ball quickly so you don't let someone get in that position and "Have" to hit them in the head.
Tony H
Roar Pro
That's fine numpty, this is an opinion site. I disagree with you, you disagree with me, and the world keeps spinning
Davos
Guest
That comment is total nonsense. Michael Hodgson absolutely dominated Hooper in 2017, the Forces last game when thrashing the Tahs. That doesn`t mean Hodgson should take Hoopers Wallaby 7 jersey.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
I don’t think they’re analogous though. Selections always vary match to match, but giving someone the captaincy (especially re-appointing the 45 test captain) before the start of the season is something permanent. But you’re right he seems open to changing his mind, hopefully we see a new captain next year.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
The majority of his moments came off the bench in the win against the All Blacks, when he played very well. He won’t be a hard ball carrier at 6, but he does the defensive and breakdown stuff much more effectively than Hanigan, Swinton or Valetini. Maybe he wouldn’t work out, but I don’t think any of Swinton, Hanigan or Valetini currently are either.
Wheelbarrow
Roar Rookie
None where he caption prior. This was always a rebuild year.
Chuck
Guest
I think against those 3 teams 2016-2020 it is 11 wins to them, 0 to the Wallabies. I could be wrong.
It makes sense
Guest
Yeah dropping Samu one just was one of many massive errors Rennie made. Why would you drop Samu for a pretender in Hanigan.Thank F@#k his has been told to leave Australia.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I don’t think anyone thinks Hooper is a good captain. But there are captains that would kill for 44% if they played most of their games against ABs and SA and under Cheika and surrounded by mostly mediocre teammates. I don’t know what the % would be if Hooper was a good captain. Probably not much above that.
Obes
Guest
Hooper and Physicality is an oxymoron. :laughing:
Rainman
Guest
TWAS what`s our record like against England Ireland and Scotland from 2016 onwards. I cant find any stats.
Davos
Guest
How can you anyone accept a 44% winning percentage ? Personally i think 44 % is incorrect. Can someone double check that please. It`s no wonder we are in this terrible position when fans accept mediocrity from our captain.
Morant
Guest
Around 32 percent. If he were a general he would be relieved of duty and court marshalled.
Paddy
Guest
You cant have a bloke that has the most yellow cards in the history of rugby as your captain. It sets a bad tone for the rest of the team. Look at all the cards the wallaby players have had when Hooper has been captain. He needs to go asap.Prefrably out of the 23 altogether, ive had a gutful of his poor attitude on and off the field and his atrocious captaincy.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He seems to be not wedded to his prior decisions is what I mean.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
But he’s had more moments in those minutes where he’s looked physically lacking. That said it will improve with age. Come next year he may be physically up to test level against the best teams.
Heels
Guest
Peterk There is no way Hooper wont be captain next year.If Rennie gives the captaincy to someone else it shows he lacks faith in Hooper. It will not happen.