Rocky Elsom steps up

[GIGS20]

If we're looking at experience which is a good point in RWC a year and Rocky is out Moore would be the next most experienced who is likely to play with most game time as Sharp will share the lock spot. In a 6 week tournament their will be at lest 3 guys who at sometime will fill the Captains role on the field so Giteau will like get a run at some point also.

So then with experience Moore, Sharp, Giteau... However Moore hasn't captained a S15 team. I haven't seen enough of Horwill to know if he wil be a starter in 2011.

I initially wanted to slag this post so much because of the blind Brumby love that it's written in. I quickly noted though that every post I've written or praised on this thread exhibits about the same level of force love. The only difference is, that Sharpie and Pocock are showing true captaincy potential, whereas muddy's yet to name a credible contender from the Brumbies.

The only Brumby name that isn't tainted by a question mark over selection is Adam Ashley-Cooper, who wouldn't make a bad fist of the captaincy, but he's not mentioned. Moore will fight with TPN for the starting slot......and likely lose unless Tatafu is hurt. Rocky on one leg will struggle to tour, let alone play and Gits? Are you serious? Even Benny A has a fight on his hands to retain his spot, and who would've though that twelve months ago?

Nope the genuine contenders are Sharpe, Pocock, Genia, Horwill......all experienced in captaincy, all likely candidates to spend pretty much every minute on the field. My personal bias is (understandably) force-esque, but I can stipulate to the Queenslanders having a similar bias.

[zimeric]

My Bet is on Horwill if he can stay fit
second best would be Genia
Pocock at a pinch and Sharpie as fourth backup... only becuse its obvious that the powers that be would have egg on their face if they make someone captain that theyve refused to give a full wallabies contract to.

[mudskipper]

I initially wanted to slag this post so much because of the blind Brumby love that it's written in. I quickly noted though that every post I've written or praised on this thread exhibits about the same level of force love. The only difference is, that Sharpie and Pocock are showing true captaincy potential, whereas muddy's yet to name a credible contender from the Brumbies.

The only Brumby name that isn't tainted by a question mark over selection is Adam Ashley-Cooper, who wouldn't make a bad fist of the captaincy, but he's not mentioned. Moore will fight with TPN for the starting slot......and likely lose unless Tatafu is hurt. Rocky on one leg will struggle to tour, let alone play and Gits? Are you serious? Even Benny A has a fight on his hands to retain his spot, and who would've though that twelve months ago?

Nope the genuine contenders are Sharpe, Pocock, Genia, Horwill......all experienced in captaincy, all likely candidates to spend pretty much every minute on the field. My personal bias is (understandably) force-esque, but I can stipulate to the Queenslanders having a similar bias.

Well I'm glad you asked Giggles... YOU WANT THE WALLABIES TO WIN THE 2011 RWC... YOU WANT TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS... HOW ,WELL SOLID LEADERSHIP IS KEY… no pretty blue talk hear let's cut to the chase gentleman ... the let's do some straight talking. The Wallabies have won two world cups and area serious contender this year. Both times with solid captains Nick Farr-Jones and John Eales both savvy captains with plenty of caps.

The Wallabies have a dream run to make the final and need a leader not an apprentice

So if your looking for Winners look for Leaders with experience; Lets break it down to a little realism:

Sharpe Possibly won’t be a starter every match and Deans wont give guy in his last years of rugby a Captaincy in a RWC year… And I'm a fan of Sharpie and want him in the RWC squad... Not a real contender

Pocock is a great young guy but has no experience so he's an outsider for Captaincy. he is a specialist who in form can help win the RWC if he focuses on this task. Future Wallabies captain but not this year and Deans knows what he needs from Dave 2011... Outsider...

Genia has some Captaincy experience but doesn't talk the talk and take enough control lead a RWC campaign to influence officials... But a Possible

Horwill is a leader but hasn't played enough YET in be given a starting jersey. I also question captaincy at international level as he doesn't have many caps... outsider maybe a possible contender if Reds win S15...

Giteau has been vice captain last year, so if Rocky doesn't start Giteau is the man in waiting. However Giteau may not win a starting spot, but Barnes is looking unable to play due to head injuries, JOC hasn't played enough 12 for the Wallabies or just enough at 12 in 2011 so Giteau may just get the Wallabies starting 12 jersey. His leadership and media skills with the Brumbies through a difficult season has been outstanding, He is a leader and has proven it this year and has the caps to prove his qualities. He is a serious Contender...

Moore... Has leadership qualities and I think he will be offered the brumbies Captaincy next year, but at this time he hasn't any captaincy experience but loads of international experience. He will compete for the hooker starting jersey with TPN but the reality is TPN game style is so dangerous he will likely injure himself before the cup starts. Moore is an outsider...TNP not a contender...

AAC... hasn't captained a side and isn't a natural leader while a fine player... He isn't a contender...

Quade Cooper... An exciting player but you wouldn't give him the key to your home... not a contender...

JOC... great young talent but possibly not a starter with Digby pushing for a wing spot... To young this RWC... will have to settle for poster boy again not a contender in 2011

Rocky... Can lead, incumbent Wallabies captain, no game time S15 worth talking about... is known to the group, may only just make the squad due to injury and furthermore Higginbothams' form is getting better every week and the Wallabies need a hard-man... He can help will the RWC... Rockys' chances are slim, the Wallabies a fit Rocky but not a Rocky that the Brumbies have carried for the past two seasons to win the RWC, of holding the Wallabies Captaincy fair to poor...

I don't think I've left anyone out? Well not intentionally... And furthermore I think I've been rather impartial about the call... Mr Giggles...

[AndyS]

...cough...Mortlock seems to be fit again, and getting through a bit of work, and playing whole games again, and we are not exactly snowed under by quality 13s ATM... Perhaps a little bit Umaga 2003 though, which must still prey on Deans' mind.

My inclination out of that lot would be Horwill, but with the observation that (in the forwards at least) Pocock might as well have been the captain for the last year or so as he seems to do all the talking to the other players while Rocky stands there and listens.

[TOCC]

lol Muddy, get off whatever drugs you are smoking mate...

No Brumbies player apart from Rocky will come close to been Wallabies captain this year. The Brumbies have played without passion, without heart and without direction in 2011. Lets not even get started on the 'player power' coup which overthrew the coach...

Giteau isn't even a guaranteed starter, nor is Moore if TPN is on the scene.

[mudskipper]

lol Muddy, get off whatever drugs you are smoking mate...

No Brumbies player apart from Rocky will come close to been Wallabies captain this year. The Brumbies have played without passion, without heart and without direction in 2011. Lets not even get started on the 'player power' coup which overthrew the coach...

Giteau isn't even a guaranteed starter, nor is Moore if TPN is on the scene.

If Barnes is out who is 12 TOCC... it wont be JOC... its a RWC year... JOC will be a utility player and continue his stint on the wing... Horwill can captain only if he's form improves and the Reds win the S15... Horwill has been on the sideline... He isn't dominate at as an international and doesn't have the caps. Your National captain needs to have enough international experience to pull the squad together... all the others are pups... I'm not pushing Brumbies just plain talking... Neither are likely but the choice is poor all round...

I cant see Deans risking the cup on a novice captain... and either will JON...

TOCC please tell me who will be the Wallabies captain and why… and not just because the Reds have won a few matches... talk about what the man has to offer as a leader to the team...

[robyn <3]

Nathan Sharpe WILL start every match. He's playing incredible rugby, and even if he wasn't who could they replace him with? Dean Mumm is a disgrace, as a captain, player, etc. Chislom is more of the same. Australia doesn't have vast amounts of quality locks, and even if they did Sharpie is a cut above the rest.

ON TOP OF THAT, he's a fabulous controlled and calm and solid and reasonable captain (I could go on). And deserves the title more than anyone possible ever could. A great servant of Australian rugby and a quality leader.

Sharpe for the big (C) RWC 2011.

[Rex Messup]

The 4 year cycle is coming to an end. It is quite feasible that Deans would opt for experience as captain with a sole focus on RWC 2011. Sharpe is in a golden patch of form and is aiming up with his defence and carries. His lineout work is worldclass. He has been in two RWC's and has captained the Force for 6 years and the Reds before that. Sharpie would get my vote. I believe he will be one of the starting locks for the wallabies this year.

I recognise the merits of Pocock, Genia and Horwill. All would make an excellent choice and I wouldn't complain about either.

Apart from AAC on reputation alone, I can't see a Brumby worthy of wallaby selection.

Gits can go to France early. I don't believe Deans will pick him. Deans has spent two years deprogramming the wallabies to be dependent on Giteau. Cooper, JOC, Beale, Barnes are all ready, capable and in better form. Gits has struggled since Larkham made him look good. Running sideways is one of my pet hates from an inside back and I can't wait to see the back of him. Giteau has ruined our running lines and patterns for 8 years. Good riddance.

Higgers to play 6 and Rocky to play left right out.

[GIGS20]

I can't believe I'm saying this but if you want impartial muddy look at Rex. Before Gits and rocky can be captain, they have to make the team. Unlikely at best, and if Rocky plays it'll only be because he's the incumbent captain and IMHO that's the worst way to pick a team.

I've also figured out why you talk Chisolm and Chapman up so much now, if you think Sharpe and Horwill won't be the preferred second row this year, then you know shit all about locks.

IMHO the captain should come from the second row, for reasons I've explained before, Sharpe would be perfect to see out this year, Horwill if you want to hold a captain in the longer Term......it's a little soon for Pocock, not the time for him to learn a new craft.

[travelling_gerry]

Iain Payten From: The Daily Telegraph May 25, 2011 12:00AM

Natural leader: Nathan Sharpe has been tipped to take over the captaincy of the Wallabies. Source: The Sunday Times
TEST veteran Nathan Sharpe is the ideal man to step in for the injured Rocky Elsom and lead the Wallabies in July, according to Western Force coach Richard Graham.

His recommendation came yesterday as Sharpe, David Pocock, James Horwill and Will Genia emerged as potential stand-in skippers after scans on Elsom's injured ankle showed the Wallabies captain is in major doubt to play Samoa in July.

Returning after six months off with hamstring problems, Elsom suffered a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle in the Brumbies' 13-all draw with the Force last weekend.

Elsom played on injured for 30 minutes to see out the match but scans showed ligament damage is not only severe enough to end his Super Rugby season, but place him in major doubt for the Wallabies' first outing on July 17 in Sydney.

That is eight weeks away but Elsom - who was spotted meeting Robbie Deans in Canberra yesterday - is now wearing a boot and will be unable to train for six weeks.


Elsom's return from six months off to play 80 minutes showed he is on track for the World Cup but Deans will need to consider a new captain for the Samoa Test.

The likes of Pocock, Horwill and Genia are seen as future Test leaders but Graham believes his outstanding lock and skipper Sharpe is a perfect choice.

"David has the qualities to become the captain of the Wallabies but I don't think coming into a World Cup campaign is the time to blood someone," he said.

"If Rocky was unavailable, Nathan, in my mind, would be the ideal man for the job. He has the utmost respect of everyone as a leader."

Graham's view on Pocock was shared by Wallabies great Tim Horan.

"I don't think it should be David Pocock at this stage," Horan said. "He is a future leader, no doubt, but let him concentrate on his game.

"You look towards Horwill or Genia."

Horwill and his deputy Genia get a chance to audition for the role when the Reds take on the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie yesterday added some spice by saying Sonny Bill Williams' offloads could be a weakness to exploit.

But Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder paid SBW a huge compliment by saying the big No. 12 is as valuable to Kiwi rugby as Dan Carter.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226062190447

[travelling_gerry]

if Rocky Elsom forced to miss Test through injury
Bret Harris From: The Australian May 25, 2011 12:00AM

OPENSIDE flanker David Pocock has emerged as the frontrunner to lead the Wallabies against Samoa in July in the event of captain Rocky Elsom being unavailable.

Elsom sustained a syndesmosis injury on his left ankle while playing in the Brumbies' 13-all draw with Pocock's Western Force in Perth last Saturday.

He is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks, which would rule him out of the Samoa Test in Sydney on July 17, the Wallabies' first outing of the World Cup year.

There has been speculation Queensland captain and second-rower James Horwill would replace Elsom, but Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has been grooming Pocock for the role.

Pocock does not captain the Force, but he is regarded as a natural-born leader. Given that he is viewed as a future Wallabies captain, the Samoa Test would be a good opportunity to introduce him to the role. Elsom's position as Wallabies captain for the Tri-Nations and World Cup is not believed to be under any threat.


Meanwhile, Wallabies utility back James O'Connor has been ruled out for the Force's match with the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night because of neck and shoulder soreness as the team suffered an inside backs injury crisis.

Three other Force backs _ five-eighth Willie Ripia (calf strain), halfback Brett Sheehan (leg muscle strain) and inside centre Gene Fairbanks (leg muscle strain) _ have also been ruled out.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226062246785

[travelling_gerry]

n with Rocky Elsom injured
By Jim Tucker The Courier-Mail May 24, 2011 8:16AM

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Big chance ... Horwill is one of the leading candidates to replace Elsom as Test skipper. Source: News Limited
Queensland Reds leader James Horwill and David Pocock have emerged as fill-in Test captaincy candidates for the Wallabies with Rocky Elsom floored by injury.

Horwill can press his case as a Wallaby captain-in-waiting on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium because he will be playing a virtual Test match against All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and his Crusaders.

Scans confirmed a high-ankle sprain would sideline Elsom for at least six weeks, which puts him at long odds to lead Australia against Samoa in Sydney on July 17.

That is the lay-off before the powerful flanker even returns to training so it compounds the six months out of the game he had so recently because of chronic hamstring trouble.

Elsom's involved 80-minute comeback game for the Brumbies last weekend is now all the more impressive because he carried the injury for the final 29 minutes.



His left ankle syndesmosis injury translates as ligament damage above the ankle joint and recovery time is notoriously hard to guess. Hooker Stephen Moore was out for six weeks with the same injury earlier this year.

Elsom will miss the Brumbies' remaining four games and a lower level hit-out in Sydney club rugby shapes as his next comeback to get fitness for involvement in the July-August Tri-Nations.

It is a far from ideal build-up in a Rugby World Cup year for Elsom, who has led the Wallabies in 20 straight Tests since his elevation in late 2009.

Lock Horwill's case as a stand-in Test captain is built solidly on all he has injected to the Reds' cause in this stellar season and the experience he has built in the role.

The negative is he missed all of last year's Test campaign through injury.

Force flanker Pocock was a fixture and fits the flanker mould that Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has preferred in his captains - Reuben Thorne, McCaw and Elsom.

Only last week, Fox Sports commentator and former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin championed Pocock as the "spiritual leader" of the Wallabies when calling him a captain-in-waiting.

Berrick Barnes and Dean Mumm have been captains of the Wallabies in midweek tour matches in 2009 and 2010 but neither command regular Test spots.

Horwill hopes to lead from the front in the pack against the Crusaders in a showdown that is to draw more than 40,000 fans to Queensland rugby's biggest day out in 2011.

"The Crusaders have proven that they are the standard-bearers," Horwill said.

"They've been the standout pack probably all year and we've got to make sure across the board, not only in the set piece, we get it right so we can give the backs clean ball."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1226061636374

[Darren]

[GIGS20]

And in latest news 'pick a name out of a hat' firms as Wallaby Captain in the absence of Rocky Elsom. Pick a name's coach said he's a natural leader and he's been seen playing rugby recently. Surely this is an indication that he's the man.

If Pocock leads against Samoa it'll be bad news for our World Cup!

[TOCC]

If Barnes is out who is 12 TOCC... it wont be JOC... its a RWC year... JOC will be a utility player and continue his stint on the wing... Horwill can captain only if he's form improves and the Reds win the S15... Horwill has been on the sideline... He isn't dominate at as an international and doesn't have the caps. Your National captain needs to have enough international experience to pull the squad together... all the others are pups... I'm not pushing Brumbies just plain talking... Neither are likely but the choice is poor all round...

I cant see Deans risking the cup on a novice captain... and either will JON...

TOCC please tell me who will be the Wallabies captain and why… and not just because the Reds have won a few matches... talk about what the man has to offer as a leader to the team...

LOL, so you concede that Giteau is behind Barnes in the pecking order... Giteau wont be able to do a lot of captaining from the bench muddy...

Horwill and Sharpe are the form Australian locks for 2011, if fit, both are a automatic selection.. same cant be said for Giteau or Moore.

BTW, the Reds havent just won a few matches, they have won 5 times as many matches as the Brumbies have.. LOL