Wallabies' B-graders earn shot at captaincy

Greg Growden in Tokyo | November 1, 2009


WARATAHS halfback Luke Burgess and Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore are among the candidates to captain the Wallabies for their midweek match against Gloucester on Tuesday night.

Due to the quick turnaround between last night's Bledisloe Cup Test in Tokyo and the Gloucester match, which starts the Grand Slam leg of their tour, the Wallabies' team management have been training two separate teams as they do not want Test starting players backing up several days later.

The scheduling even forced them to beckon Brumbies' five-eighth Matt Toomua from Canberra on Friday to make up the numbers after Berrick Barnes rolled his ankle, jeopardising his tour.

While delighted that the Gloucester match will give all fringe members of the squad a chance to play against quality opposition, it also gives selectors a chance to see who has the required leadership skills.

Although the original assumption was that after George Smith was selected on the bench for the Tokyo Test, he would be the natural favourite to be midweek skipper, it is understood Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans is looking elsewhere, knowing how crucial it is to blood more leaders.

As shown by Deans making Rocky Elsom the tour captain and Barnes his deputy, he comprehends that the more leaders in the squad, the better. And those involved with Australia's 1991 and 1999 World Cup-winning campaigns also know this is a wise move.

Those in contention to be midweek skipper include Moore, Burgess, Waratahs' second-rower Dean Mumm and Force back-rower Richard Brown.

Moore would appear to be favourite as he has the qualities required of a skipper - willing to lead from the front, has the respect of his teammates and is a player of the highest standard.

After being with the Wallabies for five seasons and collecting 42 Test caps, Moore is part of the team's inner sanctum.

Also in Moore's favour is that Deans likes his skippers to be part of the forward pack.

Mumm also has credentials - like Moore, he has the necessary poise to take charge on the field.

Burgess may appear a left-field choice, but the selectors believe that giving him extra responsibilities could help bring him back to form.

The Test halfback's season has fluctuated - at one time has was looked upon as a possible saviour at the scrum base before poor form saw him benched for Will Genia near the end of the Tri Nations.

Burgess is a real confidence player, and even being considered for the captaincy could give him the required jolt. Deans is a Burgess fan, and is intrigued with his character.

Of the back-up contingent, one player who could easily press for a Test spot is the person who has just arrived to join the squad. Rob Horne's dreadful run of injuries, suffering yet another hamstring strain at just the second training of the tour, saw him forced to return to Sydney for treatment midway during the week.

This prompted selectors to call for Brumbies' centre Tyrone Smith, younger brother of George Smith. Considering that the Wallabies have sometimes been caught up in attack because of a lack of bulk and penetration, it would not surprise if Smith suddenly finds himself in contention for at least a Test reserves spot, as his effectiveness in midfield made him, in recent times, one of the Brumbies standouts.
Still, it will all revolve around how Smith goes in Gloucester.


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