Harry Wilson not guaranteed Wallabies captaincy as saga drags on before Lions series

When the Wallabies named their 36-man squad for the first Test against the Lions, there were plenty of surprises. But the biggest mystery of all was that which surrounds the team’s captaincy.

Mystery remains around the Wallabies captaincy just a week out from the first Test against the British & Irish Lions, with coach Joe Schmidt in no rush to anoint a skipper.

While Harry Wilson, who led Australia throughout last year and in last weekend’s match against Fiji, is in the 36-man squad, there was no ‘C’ next to his name when the Wallabies were unveiled in Brisbane on Friday.

With speculation lingering before the Fiji game that halfback Jake Gordon could take the captaincy off Wilson, before Gordon was ruled out of the match with injury, there is still no clear answer on who Schmidt’s preferred leader is.

“We just want to get through the week far enough to announce a captain that’s fully fit,” Schmidt said.

Harry Wilson has led Australia for the past 12 months – but the ongoing captaincy remains a mystery. Picture: Getty

“A couple of the guys that have captained us recently have had a few knocks 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 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 that responsibility on game day.

“Maybe just hold our fire for another few days and also see how this squad settles and then make a decision from there.”

Asked if Wilson is injured, Schmidt replied: “No, Harry had a couple of dings but talking to him today, he’s great.

“But again, it’s not until they actually report for duty that you get a hands on look at them and he did have a few dings from the game last Sunday and we didn’t have to – there’s not a lot of things we can take our time with.

“We’re under pressure, 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.

Jake Gordon (R) was believed to be coach Joe Schmidt’s preferred captaincy option. Picture: Getty

“Obviously Harry’s led us a number of times recently so he’d be one of the players at the forefront of our thinking.”

Allan Alaalatoa is the obvious candidate outside of Wilson and Gordon to be skipper.

And while out-of-sorts prop Taniela Tupou had all but given up hope of featuring in the squad against the Lions after playing against them for NSW, Schmidt indicated he was always going to be picked.

“I didn’t have that discussion with him (about being dropped), if that was a perception he had, then hopefully that’s a motivation for him that he is in,” Schmidt said.

“It’s a massive opportunity for him. At the same time, it’s probably something that he wants to be challenged on and make sure he does put his best foot forward.”

Taniela Tupou (R) had all but given up hope on his selection. Picture: AP

Schmidt is not falling into a false sense of security with the Lions having two close wins against the Brumbies and Waratahs, after opening their tour with blowout victories over Queensland and Western Force.

“I’ve coached against them with the provincial side in Bay of Plenty, just an NPC team and been 17-all at halftime and then they got away to win by 12 points I think,” he said.

“But when it came to the Test, they were a different beast. And I do think that’s when they really ramp it up.

“I think during a tour, if you go to the emotional well and the physical well every four or five days throughout the tour, I do think you start to probably dilute your ability to really hit the top level.

“I’ve coached with Andy (Farrell) for enough years, he’ll have them simmering at the moment. But I’ve no doubt that come Saturday week they’ll be at the boil.”

Originally published as Harry Wilson not guaranteed Wallabies captaincy as saga drags on before Lions series