Ben Mowen says he shouldn’t be picked for Wallabies as he won’t be around for Rugby World Cup

INCUMBENT Test skipper Ben Mowen has agreed with former Brumbies coach Jake White that he should no longer be selected for the Wallabies.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Ben Mowen of the Wallabies is tackled by Cian Healy of Ireland during the International match between Ireland and Australia at Aviva Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

BEN Mowen has agreed with former coach Jake White that he should no longer be selected for the Wallabies.

The incumbent Australia captain has signed a deal to play with French club Montpellier at the end of the season, leading former Brumbies coach White to claim Mowen’s mind would no longer be in it to play internationals.

“I’d say he’s probably thinking along the same lines as myself,” Mowen said.

“I’ve said all along, I don’t think guys who take themselves out of reckoning to be in the World Cup squad this close to it should be taking up spots.

“I think you need to be really building a squad and giving guys experience that you are going to use, and I’m not going to be there so I tend to agree with that general comment.”

While Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said earlier this year that Mowen would be considered for Tests, including next month’s three internationals against France, it is unlikely that the backrower will ever pull on the gold jersey again.

White, back in Canberra for Saturday night’s showdown between his top-of-the-table Sharks and the second-placed Brumbies, said on Thursday that McKenzie would pick either Scott Higginbotham or Wycliff Palu as his No.8 replacement for Mowen.News_Rich_Media: Former Wallaby George Gregan believes coach Ewen McKenzie is unlikely to select a Reds player for the leadership roles, claiming the side needs captains with a winning mentality.

There has been speculation that the Brumbies will be motivated by revenge at Canberra Stadium against White, who controversially walked out on the team last year after being overlooked for the Wallabies job in favour of McKenize.

But Mowen revealed he still has a close relationship with the coach who guided the Brumbies from cellar dwellers to grand finalists within two seasons.

“I’m eternally grateful to him, I continue to have a very good relationship with him and will do for many years to come,” Mowen said.

“He showed a huge amount of faith in myself and a lot of guys here, more than anything I just got on really well as a person

“I found him a good, laughable character to have around.

“In the distant future I hope to work with him at some stage because those are the guys you can learn a lot off.”

Mowen said he was not surprised that within six months of joining the Sharks, White had led the Durban-based side to the top of the Super Rugby ladder.

“He’s certainly a bloke that comes into teams and gets them winning quickly,” Mowen said.

“He has an ability to set a mindset within a side that they can achieve big things within themselves in a short amount of time.News_Rich_Media: The Ode to the Wallabies encapsulates just what it means to wear a gold jumper - 'The Golden Thread' - for rugby players across Australia.

“His biggest skill is he knows how to get a side in a position to win.

“Every team has been involved with, they are a winning side.

“So that’s the extra danger for us this weekend.”

The Sharks remained in Sydney until Friday, ensuring that White and his players avoided additional scrutiny and attention in Canberra.

Mowen noted that when White was in charge of the Brumbies, he advised visiting teams that it would be a mistake avoiding the week in Canberra.

“I thought it was really surprising since the last couple of years he’s said it is the worst thing you could do,” Mowen said.

“But I understand the thinking, logistically when you’ve got as big a travel component as those guys have got over a month, it’s probably good to base yourself in one spot for a fortnight and then move.

“I think he may have been pulled in too many directions if he came back from Canberra so I think it was the only decision they could make.”

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