Flanker David Pocock has been back to lead Australia in their summer Tests by World Cup-winners George Gregan and Simon Poidevin.
Australia to appoint new skipper in Horwill's absence
Flanker David Pocock has been back to lead Australia in their summer Tests by World Cup-winners George Gregan and Simon Poidevin.
With regular skipper James Horwill to miss the June Test matches against Scotland and Wales due to a hamstring injury, Australia coach Robbie Deans needs to appoint a new leader.
Horwill confirmed today his injury is worse than first thought and he may be set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, with surgery possibly required to fix the problem.
That has left Pocock and half-back Will Genia, who was vice-captain during last year's World Cup, are the two candidates for the vacant captaincy role.
Genia led the Wallabies against the United States during the World Cup, while Pocock also has some experience, having taken the reins for the clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham last November.
Poidevin, who was part of the World Cup-winning side in 1991, said the Wallabies wouldn't go wrong with either candidate but he was leaning towards the Western Force forward.
"For me Pocock has put his hand up in a big way," Poidevin said.
"He's always been spoken about in that manner. He's the type of player that will excel in that role.
"Genia's done a fantastic job when he captained Queensland and Australia, but Pocock's the guy in pole position and deservedly so."
Former skipper Gregan, who is the most capped international player in world rugby, said Pocock has already showed strong leadership as part of the Wallaby team.
"He's someone that's very consistent, and a world-class player," Gregan said.
"He's been part of this group for a few years now and the leadership would sit well on his shoulders.
Leadership
"You could say the same thing about Will Genia who's done a good job with the Reds.
"I think the leadership you see in this Wallabies team, it's evolving and that's important because good teams have a strong leadership group."
Deans will name his new skipper when he finalises his team for next week's clash with Scotland at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Poidevin believes former skipper Rocky Elsom can return to the Wallabies fold despite being a surprise omission from the squad for the June Tests.
The blindside flanker has been battling leg and shoulder injuries for a number of months now and was left out of the national squad for the first time since 2005.
While admitting the depth in the Wallaby forward pack will make it difficult for Elsom to force his way back in, Poidevin said it would be foolish to rule out a return for the classy number six.
"I've been a big supporter of Rocky's and I think he did a fantastic job as captain over his time with the Wallabies," the former Wallaby skipper said.
"Rocky's a very philosophical guy, he knows the chronic injury he had last year worked against him and Robbie's (Deans) probably trying to look to the future and the talent in that squad tells you that.
"What Rocky does down the track will be down to him.
"He makes his own decisions well and truly but I don't think you've seen the last of Rocky Elsom."
