James Horwill has replaced Rocky Elsom as Australia’s captain in a shock move before next month’s Rugby World Cup.
Queensland Reds skipper Horwill was surprised when coach Robbie Deans today named him to lead the 30-man Wallabies squad to the tournament, kicking off in New Zealand on September 9.
Elsom has captained Australia since 2009 but appears to have lost the job with his position in the starting team under pressure from Scott Higginbotham.
Deans said Elsom took the news admirably, saying he accepted it in the “best interests of the team”.
“Rocky remains a very important member in the group and remains in the leadership group,” the coach said.
Lock Horwill led the Reds to this year’s Super Rugby title and has also been Australia’s form forward in their past two Tri Nations Tests.
As expected, 92-Test back Matt Giteau was a notable omission, with Deans instead selecting NSW playmaker Berrick Barnes as the five-eighth back-up to Quade Cooper and Melbourne halfback Nick Phipps as a third specialist halfback.
Bulldozing No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder, knee) heads a list of six wounded Wallabies stars who have been named despite being grounded by injuries, with Palu out for most of the past two seasons.
Deans also selected hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (knee), prop James Slipper (ankle) and Drew Mitchell (ankle) who are also yet to return to action after injury.
Waratah backs Barnes (concussion) and centre Rob Horne (elbow) were included after recently making comebacks in club rugby after playing little Super Rugby this season.
Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson, who has been the back-up for ball scavenger David Pocock, is arguably one of the most unexpected omissions after being among the Test squad for the past three years.
Hodgson’s failure to make the squad means Pocock won’t have a specialist back-up to cover at No.7, making him almost irreplaceable in case of injury.
The seemingly ageless forward Radike Samo, 35, is the feel-good story of the squad, named because of his versatility just 18 months after he thought he was washed up as a professional player following stints in France and Japan.
Samo’s and Palu’s inclusions, along with fellow No.8 Ben McCalman, puts extra heat on Elsom’s place in the back row.
But Deans, who told Horwill of the leadership change on Monday after the 14-9 victory over South Africa in Durban, denied the writing was on the wall for Elsom, who has only returned from hamstring and ankle injuries in the past five weeks.
“With his recent challenges with his injuries, he’s only just getting back to form, [and] it just frees him up to really focus on his rugby,” Deans said.
“He made great progress last week [in Durban] and as he gets back to full fitness we expect big things from him.”
Elsom will remain in the Wallabies leadership group with Horwill, Pocock and halfback Will Genia.
Australian squad:
Backs – Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Will Genia.
Forwards – Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Salesi Ma’afu, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau.
AAP
IMHO Elsom’s demotion makes absolute sense and is an example of the mettle, commitment and strength of character of Robbie Deans. When the tough decision had to be made for the good of the team he made it. Congratulations to the new Wallabies captain, James Horwill. This is an exciting move. Horwill brings proven leadership skills to the job and I am certain he will do well for his country and his team.
As for the non-inclusion of Matt Giteau, once again, a tough decision but one that had to be made. Giteau has proved to be a let down in recent years, as his form reached its nadir over the last couple of seasons. Good luck to him for the future, it’s now time for him and the Wallabies to move on to bigger things.
All things considered, I like the look of the Deans squad. It has power in the forwards and flair in the backs.
Whether this squad is good enough to lift the William Webb Ellis Cup is another thing. One look at the calendar reveals we will all know soon enough. Bring it on; can’t wait!
The other major talking point of the 30-man squad is no back-up for openside flanker David Pocock. The reason behind Pocock being the only No.7 in the squad is primarily due to Wallabies coach Robbie Deans’s belief about the way the tournament will be played.
He believes that physical players rather than “fetchers” will be vital at the breakdown, giving a clue that the referees may have too much of a say at this World Cup. See even Deans read our comments here, i told you all long ago 😆 that McCaws bubble will burst , whatch the refs at the WC.
Two players who were able to use the Durban Test victory over the Springboks on Saturday to sneak their way into the squad were Nathan Sharpe and Samo.
Sharpe was vying with Sitaleki Timani for the fourth second-row spot, but the veteran’s outstanding performance at Kings Park, where he snared several important lineout throws against the powerful South Africans, ensured he was on his way to New Zealand. He is bound to pass the 100-Test mark during the tournament.
A peaceful transfer of power: how Elsom handed the reins to Horwill
The decision was made on Monday but it was agreed that dumped Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom would wait until just before today’s World Cup squad announcement to break it to his teammates.
“There’s going to be a change in direction,” Elsom told the assembled of group of 30 anointed Wallabies in their hotel.
“As of the photo [call] today James [Horwill] will be taking over.”
The man who made the surprise call, coach Robbie Deans, praised Elsom publicly today for exactly that no-frills, ego-free attitude.
But it was clear that behind the commendable stoicism, the flanker was feeling the blow.
He declined to nominate a word that summed up his reaction, rejecting in turns “disappointed”, “relieved” and “devastated”.
It is clear from the photos that it was a shock to most players. Just look at their faces.
Horwill, who looked nervous throughout the official proceedings, said the captaincy was a complete surprise.
He was told on Monday and went straight to Elsom, whom he counts as a good friend.
Horwill would not say exactly what words were exchanged between them, but said he asked for his advice.
“Rocky’s a guy who doesn’t speak unnecessarily and when he talks the whole team listens,” he said.
“He’s a great leader and someone the team needs.”
Their teammates were full of praise for both men, who have both been natural leaders within the squad for a long time.
Prop Ben Alexander, delighted with his own selection in the list of 30, said he was surprised and yet not.
Can someone ask JS to look at the regime change in Australia? He might just understand how much he will free his coaches hand.
Or maybe like some suggest , Peter will fall over if his crutch is taken away. (Hope i used the right word – crutch for the Afrikaans word Kruk)
I had a good laugh when i read the comments below that article. :LOL:
Maybe Rocky can sign with the Tah’s now? Don’t go to Europe again big guy, you might end up with a haircut like Frans Steyn…
LockStock
Hair cut like Steyn? What about his diet, it looks like he swallowed a sheep whole including the wool
Franky
James Horwill’s appointment will be a popular choice, especially considering his stature as Queensland captain after this season’s Super Rugby success. He’s held in high regard by everybody associated with the game and his form this year has been outstanding.
Apart from dropping this bombshell, the selectors haven’t thrown up too many surprises in picking their RWC squad. Matt Giteau is obviously not there, as indicated yesterday by the player himself.
To me, this is a disappointment because I think he offers coverage of 9, 10 and 12, and Nick Phipps, the number three scrum-half, hasn’t done enough to warrant selection. I can understand that with Burgo going after the RWC a backup half will be required, but this tournament really is no place to blood juniors. Haven’t we learnt from the Samoan disaster?
Gits is a pretty handy backup, especially when you need someone with experience to settle a young backline in some of those second tier pool matches. I’m not sure whether he’s been fingered for a shadow role, but probably not by the tone of his tweets?
Where is the No. 7 backup in this squad? They’ve left Matt Hodgson out completely. Sure, he didn’t have a great game against Samoa, but neither did anyone else and he hasn’t had many other opportunities.
GGR
Hallooo guys, go and listen to how Just Plain Darren pranked Quade Cooper http://www.jacarandafm.com/kagiso/content/en/jacaranda/jacaranda-podcasts?oid=1320976&sn=Detail&pid=6093&Prank-Call—Quade-Cooper
@ Tripples:
hy bly nogal koel en kalm, :GRIN:
@ Tripples:
Hey Tripples, I just listened to those prank calls, what a scream they are.
We also have those same type of tongue-in-cheek breakfast shows here in Oz. Satire is the heading I put them under.
However, I pose these questions: is this how all South African media treats all guests to its country? Does Quade Cooper have an entitlement to the same privacy as SA citizens? Was his privacy unfairly invaded when he was in the country to play sport? Were these calls made prior to the match with a view to causing angst to the player?
Anyhow, let’s not become too precious, for indeed, they are funny. Funny to us, not necessarily to the subject . . .???
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:
i thought that 2 calls was OK, going on to 4 was a taking it a bit too far. But in SA no one is spared lately, Peter gets it from everywhere. That same Radio station have a weekly prank with our coach.
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