Genia 'must be Wallabies captain'

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

WALLABIES coaching greats are united: Will Genia must captain Australia, not James Horwill or Quade Cooper.

Vice-captain Cooper told The Courier-Mail that Ben Mowen's decision to quit the Wallabies and relinquish his captaincy duties was a major blow to the national side, but stopped short of putting his hand up for the main job.

Mowen dropped a bombshell on the ARU on Thursday, revealing he would quit Australian rugby at the end of the 2014 season to spend more time with his young family.

It is understood he will sign a lucrative deal with a French rugby club in coming weeks.

Quade Cooper and Will Genia talk tactics at a Wallabies training session. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Limited

Now the Wallabies must find their fifth captain in 18 months ahead of the home series against France in June.

Eddie Jones and John Connolly said scrum-half Genia must have the (C) beside his name through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Genia is vice captain at the Reds to James Horwill, while Cooper goes from Wallabies vice-captain to just being a five-eighth in Super Rugby.

Jones said Genia was the best leader at Ewen McKenzie's disposal as Horwill had not done enough to guarantee selection for Australia and Cooper was already burdened with play-making duties.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"The captain has to be Will Genia. When he captains Australia or Queensland he plays better and the team plays better," Jones said.

"He's got a good head on him, Will, and should always be picked in the team.

"His performance against Wales was out of this world.

"Quade is a fantastic player but you just want him to get out there and play and not be worried about other stuff.

"It is remarkable that Ben left.

"It shows there are some major issues in Australian rugby.

"If you can't keep a player as committed to Australia as Ben Mowen - something is wrong."

Ben Mowen is leaving Australian rugby to play in France. Source: News Limited

It is understood Cooper is considered legitimate captaincy material by McKenzie and Australian Rugby Union officials expect he will one day be a full-time captain.

McKenzie is on record stating Cooper is the best player he has coached in terms of delivering a game plan.

Cooper refused to be drawn on whether the captaincy interested him yesterday afternoon but was gutted that Mowen's talent and leadership would be missing from the Wallabies.

This time last year Cooper was close to signing for a French rugby team after becoming disillusioned with the Australian Rugby Union.

He is now more in love with the sport than ever and it hurts him to see the Wallabies lose one of their best forwards.

"It is unfortunate he's left Australian rugby because he's a class player and quality bloke," Cooper said.

"It is a massive loss.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"He really grew into his role as captain on tour. We will really miss him.

"Each person has to make tough decisions in their life and we will all support him.

"When I was in that position it was tough to weigh it all up.

"I think we have the depth to cope. Jake Schatz lost his Test debut to a knee injury but he is training brilliantly now."

Connolly said pitching Genia, who has captained the Wallabies on several occasions when Horwill has been injured, as leader was Australia's greatest hope of World Cup success next year.

"Will Genia is the obvious captain. I am not being critical of James Horwill but it is uncertain if he will be picked," Connolly said.

"Will is one of the best players in the world. If we are to win the World Cup we need him to be at his best and when he's captain he plays better."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Genia 'must be Wallabies captain'

Dengan url

http://sportfoxer.blogspot.com/2014/01/genia-must-be-wallabies-captain.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Genia 'must be Wallabies captain'

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Genia 'must be Wallabies captain'

sebagai sumbernya