White: Mowen right man for job

BRUMBIES COACH Jake White has defended his decision to appoint the untried Ben Mowen as captain for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

He says that the ex-Waratahs loose forward has got everything he wants in terms of leadership, despite never having captained a top-level side or played for the Wallabies.

Many were tipping that Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore would have the ‘c’ next to his name in 2012, as he is one of the few world-class players in the Canberra-based side’s inexperienced squad.

But White sprung a huge surprise when he confirmed yesterday that the uncapped Mowen would lead the side.

"It's quite simple – Ben's got a track record of being a captain,” says White.

"He's been captain of a team that's got into the final of a junior World Cup (2005), so he's got what I want in terms of leadership.”

Although he has played 42 Super Rugby matches for the Waratahs, Mowen is the only Australian franchise captain who has no Wallabies experience.

However, White feels international credentials are not a prerequisite for the job.

“On that basis then (former Brumbies first five and now assistant coach Stephen Larkham would have been the head coach and they wouldn't have brought in an outsider like me.”

“At this stage in time, the club needs something new – that's a reality.

“It's not taking anything away from the boys who have been here, but there's a new group here and the dynamics are different.”

Moore is one of three vice-captains along with Wallabies midfielder Pat McCabe and prop Dan Palmer.

The Brumbies open their Super Rugby campaign against the Western Force in Canberra next Friday.