Nathan Sharpe backed to replace Rocky Elsom as Wallabies skipper

[blueandblack]

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 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 on Tuesday - 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 Rugby 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 and Fox Sports commentator 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 Reds coach Ewen McKenzie added some spice by saying Sonny Bill Williams's 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.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1226062628460

[Hoolly Doolly]

I think i cant stand queenslanders more then poms after reading the comments.


oops i assumed this was the foxsports article

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1226062400814

[James]

Problems is there are bogans everywhere and its always the worst ones that end up on the Internet. Maybe they don't have enough friends in the real world. Still prefer the bad Reds posters and the bad English posters to the bad South African posters.

[GIGS20]

Problems is there are bogans everywhere and its always the worst ones that end up on the Internet. Maybe they don't have enough friends in the real world.

no, I have real friends too

[James]

You know what I mean.