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It's only out of respect for the Wallabies that I didn't make the thread title "Rocky has to go".
I have been extremely disillusioned by his suitability and capacity to lead and, following a poor captaincy effort on the weekend, this excerpt from a SMH article has left me unable to contain that frustration any longer.
Rocky isn’t a captains’ butt hole on the field and brings no tangible benefit to the team as he skulks and scowls through media commitments and referee exchanges. He has not performed as a leader for his nation and has to be replaced by someone who will inspire by both word and action.
In reality it would be too great a shock to team stability, unless he was also benched, to enact this weekend, but Sharpe should take over for the trip to the Republic.
A new captain should then be announced for the Spring Clean Tour, with Pocock the obvious choice with Genia his deputy.
The World Cup is now rushing up and if Robbie is now focused on that as claimed then the reality must surely be starting to sink in that we cannot win it with this leadership “team”.
..."In cold, light drizzle at Christ's College, Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom wore a look borne of pressure and frustration. For 15 minutes bibs and non-bibs had gone at it at break-neck pace. It was not pretty as passes went to ground regularly.
And so, beanie pulled tightly over his forehead, the Australian breakaway stood rooted to the spot for a good five minutes as his forwards bungled and bickered through their kick-off receptions. At one stage Elsom kicked the ball away in disgust and when the forwards gathered for a group discussion with the assistant coaches he remained isolated and deep in thought.
Australia had the look of a team in search of answers not readily available on the training paddock. Undermanned by injuries and suspension they face an All Blacks side they have failed to beat in eight matches at the top of their game..."