Genia dropped and Horwill to the bench: McKenzie gets it right again

June 3, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Ewen McKenzie has named the Australian team for the first test against France at Lang Park this Saturday night. The team is:

Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Nick Cummins, Bernard Foley, Nic White; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (c), James Slipper. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Pek Cowan, Paddy Ryan, James Horwill, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe

Obviously the biggest move by Coach McKenzie is the dropping of Will Genia, not just from the team but also the bench. This is a massive step, given the Genia has not been out of the team when available since 2010, for McKenzie and, frankly, is the correct one. Aside from an inspiring performance in the 100th Queensland game last Saturday Genia has been in terrible form this season. Based on form he simply could not be selected. Nic White, conversely, has been in excellent form and deserves his run on spot.

James Horwill has been selected on the bench as the locks to run on are Carter and Simmons. This, again, is the correct move in my view: the Reds back row has been smashed this year whilst at line out time, last week aside, Horwill and Simmons had been less than impressive. I am not sure about Rob Simmons at test match level to be honest: I find him to be too ill disciplined for my liking so will be interested to see how he goes in this game.

This is a team that is, obviously, selected on form and for that McKenzie must be saluted. He is making his mark on the team on the field with these selection decisions as well as off the field with his leadership team selection. Now all he needs is results on the field to lock down his position at the top of rugby in this country.

Stephen Moore: Absolutely the right choice to lead the Wallabies

June 3, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

Stephen Moore was announced as the new captain of Wallabies yesterday. Among a poultice of candidates Moore has been selected, based on his own and the coach’s comments, in no small part due to his strong views on player culture and behaviour.  One only needs to run one’s eye over the other candidates to affirm why this choice was absolutely the correct one:

  • James Horwill: Captain of Queensland and former captain of the Wallabies during the end of the Robbie Deans era.  Simply is not in good enough form to guarantee his place in the starting team and being in the run on team has to be a factor in selection as captain.  Also, it can not be forgotten that he presided over the Beale / O’Connor fiascos and under a coach focused on building culture that had to count against him.
  • Will Genia: Vice-Captain of Queensland and former captain of the Wallabies.  Much like Horwill, is just no in good enough form to guarantee his selection in the team.  One excellent performance last week against the Highlanders should not mask what has been a season of much lament for the incumbent half back.
  • Michael Hooper: This bloke is a captain of the future so long as he stays healthy.  It is striking though that he is just too inexperienced at this stage to be a captaincy candidate.  Selecting him as a co vice-captain in league with two very experienced players in Moore and Ashley-Cooper will only expand his leadership experience.

Stephen Moore has not been a captain of a team since he played  for Queensland Colts over a decade ago.  That said, he has been a constant in leadership groups in both provincial and national teams for some time. He plays the game in the right way, hard and fair, and is as close as you will find to an 80 minute player in the front row.

I salute the appointment of Stephen Moore as captain of the Wallabies and look forward to seeing him lead out Wallabies on Saturday night.  More to the point I look forward to a new age of positive cultural influences on the Australian team and a time of less “drama” which I am certain Moore can bring to the table.