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O Captain, my Captain! As Eddie Jones continues to put together his coaching team and “scribble” draft after draft of various Wallabies squads, another important decision must be made soon: whole will be captain.
From Winston Churchill to Siya Kolisi, John Eales to Brendon McCullum, leadership matters. It can make the difference.
Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus helped transform the Springboks in 2018. As Jones has said regularly since arriving back in Sydney, South Africa went from a losing side to a winning side in the blink of an eye under the new leadership.
The question is, will Jones keep to the script or opt for someone out of the box like he did when he arrived at Pennyhill Park and asked Dylan Hartley to be his captain.
Under Hartley, England went from a losing side that won 17 straight matches under the new leadership. Along the way, they won the Six Nations Grand Slam, a historic series clean sweep Down Under in Australia and backed it up by winning the following Six Nations too.
Dylan Hartley was an unusual choice but turned out to be an inspired choice as England captain by Eddie Jones. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
In the blink of an eye, with only minor tweaks to the side, England went from a side lacking in confidence to one puffing their chests out and winning the small moments in Tests that often influence the outcome.
Funnily enough, the Crusaders too benefitted from a change in the leadership in 2017 when Scott Robertson took over from Todd Blackadder and took the captaincy off All Blacks skipper Kieran Read and gave it to Sam Whitelock. The move paid off in spades.
Nor did Jones shy away from the tough calls. He gave the captaincy to Owen Farrell halfway through the previous World Cup cycle and even chose not to give it back to the playmaker last year for the tour of Australia, instead asking Courtney Lawes to lead.
But what for the Wallabies? A “smash and grab” job, according to Jones.
“We’re deciding that now,” Jones told the ABC’s Offsiders. “And part of it is meeting the senior players, part of it’s creating a new leadership group. What do we need to do now?”
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is yet to name his captain. Photo: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
Pressed on whether Michael Hooper, who was one of three players to captain the Wallabies last year, was a contender to captain the side through to the World Cup, Jones said “definitely”.
“There’s probably three or four really good options there and we’ll work out what it is,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, Australia had three captains last year. We had four with England and with HIA and 12 days out now [under World Rugby’s mandatory stand down period for concussions], we’re going to need a leadership group that has more than one captain.
“I think the old day of having one captain is almost redundant. I think you have to have a number of people who could do the job, so that’s what we’re really trying to create.”
So who could these contenders be?
Allan Alaalatoa
The current Brumbies captain, Alaalatoa became the 85th player to captain the Wallabies last year when he led Australia out against Italy.
Alaalatoa is highly respected by everyone. A player who leads by actions on the field, he is a calm head, a certainty for selection and craves success.
He has led the Brumbies in recent years and drives standards.
Allan Ala’alatoa is a strong candidate to captain the Wallabies in 2023. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Even if Taniela Tupou returns in time for the World Cup, his injury means Alaalatoa is likely to start at tight-head prop. That’s a big tick given the uncertainty regarding starting players.
Alaalatoa is also well-liked off the field. He doesn’t crave the limelight and while his smile is large, he is softly spoken and enjoys a laugh.
Alaalatoa also re-signed on a long-term deal, meaning he could continue to grow into the role and become a face the nation comes to recognise.
Michael Hooper
The Wallabies’ most capped captain, Hooper demands respect. He is one of Australia’s great servants.
Like Alaalatoa, Jones has spoken to Hooper on a number of occasions privately.
While some have questioned his leadership and place in the side, Hooper has been handed the captaincy by the past three Wallabies coaches. That tells you a lot.
Few prepare as diligently as Hooper off the field, which has been reflected by his consistency on it.
Hooper, according to English great Will Carling, showed bravery and courage by stepping away from the game last year on the eve of The Rugby Championship.
Michael Hooper and James Slipper led the Wallabies under Dave Rennie. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
The 31-year-old didn’t hold the captaincy when he returned, with Slipper leading the Wallabies for the rest of the year with the exception of the one Test he missed against Italy.
Hooper said he was mentally and physically feeling fresh at the start of the year and said he was open to the captaincy before running out against the Brumbies.
It is likely to be Hooper’s last year in gold and that fact alone would serve as inspiration not just for him but for his teammates, too.
Does his form warrant automatic selection? Perhaps not currently, but a World Cup year is a marathon not a sprint.
James Slipper
The incumbent Wallabies captain. Slipper is a man you want on your side.
Slipper has been packing down in scrums for more than a decade. He is the ultimate teammate. Like the aforementioned players, he is respected by everyone.
The Brumbies loosehead has seen it all in Australian rugby. His life experience is something for others to lean on.
Slipper would take pride in the role, but he is also just as likely to come in behind another leader. That’s his charm. He is all about the team.
While Angus Bell is sidelined with another frustrating foot injury, should he recover and string games together he could well challenge Slipper for the No.1 jersey. It’s why there could be a hesitation around handing Slipper the captaincy.
Nic White
An outside pick, but could White be the surprise pick?
Jones has form picking halfbacks. George Gregan was Jones’ man in the No.9 jersey. They were tighter than most.
Gregan was like a coach out on the field for Jones and in him, he was a master and commander. As competitive as they come.
Competitiveness runs through White’s veins.
Nic White looms as an out-of-the-box pick as Wallabies captain by Eddie Jones. Photo: Getty Images
In White, the “digger spirit”, something Jones has spoken about since returning home, is evident in the feisty No.9.
Some would say White is too loud, too dramatic, too annoying to be the Wallabies captain.
That he might well be, but he is also outwardly proud to wear the Wallabies jersey and someone with World Cup experience and a desperate desire to succeed.
White is the Wallabies’ most consistent halfback. Tate McDermott’s running game – and leadership, too – is something that will tempt Jones, but White has started the year strongly and his experience, kicking game and ability to control the tempo of a match will be valued.
The captaincy could well bring the best out of White.
Outside hopes
Quade Cooper – Six from six since resuming his career, Cooper’s class has been on show ever since his almighty return in 2021. There is a thought that if Cooper was given the keys, he could be your leader. But the fact he is Japan-based and injury-prone would likely rule him out.
Samu Kerevi – Japan-based, too. But Kerevi is highly regarded by his teammates and presuming he gets back to full fitness would be one of the first picked.
Tate McDermott – A constant threat and the best-running halfback in Australia, the Reds No.9 is ultra-competitive, better in defence than people think and has leadership experience.
Liam Wright – Speaking of leadership experience, the injury-prone Reds back-rower is hugely respected, defensively strong and highly thought of. Whether he is in the frame remains to be seen.
Fraser McReight – Leadership potential and a class player at Super Rugby level. But is McReight in line to start?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.