Quade Copper could be handed the task of taking one of the most remarkable transformations in sports history in recent years following the decision of Ben Mowen to quit Australia Rugby at the end of this season.
Mowen, the Wallabies skipper stunned the local community of rugby by announcing that he will quit playing in the country when his contract at the end of this season and move to a French club, taking a decision that will benefit his family. This move for Mowen also takes away his opportunity to be the leader of the Australian national team in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Mowen made his debut as a test player for the Australia Rugby team just last June and was promoted to the role of skipper in November with head coach Ewen McKenzie promoting him to the role after overlooking James Horwill.
McKenzie stated that he understands the situation of the player and admitted he still might look at picking the player for the tests this season but he is almost certain to install a new skipper with the Rugby World Cup looming large on the horizon in 2015.
He, however, didn’t want to mention who the candidates for the role are. He stated that there are a lot of players at his disposal, adding that they don’t have to pick a team for the next six months and he will worry about the decision closer to that time.
Mowen had been in negotiations with the Australia Rugby authorities over a contract upgrade after earning a lot less than his teammates having played every test for the team. But the cash strapped Wallabies kept pushing back negotiations and it might seem that his decision to move to France was enforced more that decided by the financial constraints of the ARU.