The Wallabies are without a skipper eight days out from the first Test against the British and Irish Lions.
Despite Harry Wilson scoring the matchwinner against Fiji last weekend in his eighth Test as skipper, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt didn’t announce the Queensland No.8 to lead the side ahead of the first Test on July 19 in Brisbane.
Asked about the role – once one of the most coveted in Australian sport – Schmidt said he didn’t want to “dilute” the position by naming a captain who didn’t play.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
The return of injured powerhouse Rob Valetini amid fierce backrow competition could see Wilson bumped out of the starting side, meaning Schmidt opts for another player as leader.
NSW captain and halfback Jake Gordon, who also missed the Fiji match through injury, has been touted as a leading candidate for the role after he started all nine Tests last year for Wallabies.
Snubbed by Eddie Jones for Australia’s disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, Gordon was set to head to the English Premiership this year before Schmidt convinced the classy No.9 to stay in Sydney.
“We just want to get through the week far enough to announce the captain that’s fully fit,” Schmidt said.
“A couple of the guys that have captained us recently, have had a few knocks and and so we just want to be sure that once we nominate a captain, he’s going to be there to follow through.
“I think, when you nominate someone and and then they’re not able to train fully, or they’re not available for the game, it just probably dilutes the authority of the guy who does have their responsibility on game day.
“So we’re going to hold our fire for another few days, and also see how this squad settles and and then make a decision from there.”
Harry Wilson of the Wallabies talks to the referee during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between Australia Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks at Accor Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Schmidt said that Wilson wasn’t carrying any notable injury and didn’t rule out the Queenslander continuing in the role.
“There’s not a lot of things we can take our time with, we’re under pressure and it’s a short runway, but that’s one of the things that we just think we can take a couple of days and make sure we feel comfortable that we’re getting it right.
“Obviously, Harry has led us a number of times recently, so he’d be one of the players at the forefront of our thinking.”
The Lions will be led by Maro Itoje and although their performances have failed to hit great heights so far, Schmidt expects them to step up their intensity in the Tests.
“When it came to the Tests they’re a different beast. That’s when they really ramp it up,” said Schmidt.
“During the tour, if you go to the emotional and physical well every four or five days throughout the tour, I do think you risk diluting your ability to hit the top level. I’ve coached with Andy [Farrell] for enough years, he’ll have them simmering at the moment. But I have no doubt that come Saturday week, they’ll be at the boil.”
