Squad australiano per il tour europeo

[madflyhalf]

Credo che appena troveranno un mediano di mischia serio e un attimo di forma ritrovata di Gits, non ci pensino più nemmeno un secondo a spostarlo "ufficialmente" 12!
Poi come dice l'articolo: However, Giteau felt more at ease when Queensland's Will Genia was chosen ahead of Burgess for the final few Tests of the Tri Nations and now wants the time to improve their combination, believing over a month-long tour that it could revitalise the haphazard Australian back-line play. Giteau enjoys playing with Genia.
...
Giteau and Barnes have regularly swapped around at five-eighth and inside-centre during Tests, Giteau has remained the No 1 pivot.

E Giteau non mi sembra essere mai stato uno che puntava alla leadership ufficiale! Secondo me fa parte di uno di quei leader ufficiosi, che tutti ascoltano, ma comunque subordinato al capitano.
Un luogotenente. Parla tanto, parla bene, è ascoltato... forse il problema con Barnes è che si potrebbero pestare i piedi... è anche per quello che io vedo di più Elsom come capitano!

[DVD]

luqa sto provando a contattarti in pt ma i messaggi non vanno, rimangono nella cartella in uscita e non vengono inviati!!! :S come possiamo fare?!

[Pakeha_70]

Elsom replaces Stirling Mortlock as Wallabies captain

Inspirational flanker Rocky Elsom is the new Wallabies captain after being named on Friday to lead Australia on their five-Test spring tour of Japan, Britain and Ireland.

Midfield general Berrick Barnes was named vice-captain of the 35-man squad, which features seven uncapped players including Australian sevens halfback Richard Kingi.

Elsom replaces powerhouse centre Stirling Mortlock as skipper of the squad, which leaves on October 24 for Tests against New Zealand in Tokyo, followed by clashes with England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

But there was no room for veteran forwards Phil Waugh and Al Baxter.

The Wallabies will be attempting to emulate the famous 1984 side that completed an undefeated grand slam tour of the four British home unions.

While Western Force flanker Matt Hodgson and NSW Waratahs utility back Kurtley Beale have experienced life within the Wallabies set-up during the domestic Tests earlier in the year, the tour will represent the first involvements for five others.

They are NSW midfielder Rob Horne, Brumbies blindside flanker Mitchell Chapman, Waratahs lock Dave Dennis and ACT Brumbies prop Salesi Ma'afu.

Elsom, 26, has played 44 Tests for his country, having debuted against Samoa in 2005.

He returned to Australia this year in time to play four times during the Tri Nations, after a successful off-season in Ireland where he helped the Dublin-based Leinster club gain their maiden European Cup title.

He now becomes Australia's 76th Test captain.

Mortlock was the incumbent captain when Deans took over last year.

"Stirling has done a good job as Australian skipper, both before I became involved, and over the last 16 months," Deans said.

"He also understands that this initiative has no meaning in terms of his playing future.

"He has indicated a desire to continue not only to play but also to lead and we respect that."

For Deans, leadership has never been about title, but more about actions.

Deans has also historically shown a preference for the captain to be in the forward pack.

"Although George [Smith] did a sound job taking over once Stirling was injured this season, we feel the role has never really sat naturally with him," Deans said.

"Captaincy requires a big commitment both on and away from the field and we believe George is better served not being saddled with the additional responsibility.

"He still has the opportunity to contribute leadership within the group."

Deans said Elsom appealed as the best option for the position, both due to his certainty in terms of selection, and ability to lead from the front.

"Rocky has the respect of his teammates because of his approach and the total commitment he brings to the game," he said.

Full squad

Backs - James O'Connor, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Rob Horne, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Ryan Cross, Berrick Barnes (vice-captain), Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Luke Burgess, Richard Kingi.

Forwards - Richard Brown, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, George Smith, Rocky Elsom (captain), Matt Hodgson, David Dennis, Mitchell Chapman, Dean Mumm, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Pek Cowan, Sekope Kepu, Salesi Ma'afu, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau.

[JerryCollins]

preventivabile.

quindi mortlock non si è ritirato dalla scena internazionale come pensavo

[madflyhalf]

[madflyhalf]

Inserita nel calendario anche la midweek fixture contro Cardiff Blues!

Questo tour sarà bellissimo, indipendentemente da chi vincerà, è un ritorno al vecchio stile, i match infrasettimanali e Robbie Deans che chiaramente vuole provare più giocatori possibili!

Bello bello!

[Pakeha_70]

Former captain Stirling Mortlock has been ruled out of the first two Tests on the Wallabies' spring tour to Japan and Europe through injury.

Mortlock has torn a calf muscle and will miss the Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Tokyo on October 31 and the opening grand slam Test against England at Twickenham a week later.