Wallabies captaincy mystery as coach Joe Schmidt won’t name skipper in first Wallabies squad

There are eight leading candidates for the Wallabies captaincy as coach Joe Schmidt is set to keep fans guessing. Have your say on who should be Australian rugby’s next skipper here.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and Western Force scrumhalf - and captaincy candidate - Nic White. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

Joe Schmidt will name his first Wallabies squad on Friday, but don’t expect to see a new captain.

With the Kiwi having barely been able to spend meaningful time with players this year, and a quick turnaround before Australia plays Wales on July 6 in Sydney, Schmidt is expected to wait before deciding on his skipper.

In fact, the captain probably won’t be known publicly until he names his first team on July 4, two days before the opening Test.

And that is how Schmidt will operate.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt is yet to announce the Wallabies’ next captain. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

He is a considered, deliberate coach who will consult his assistants; Laurie Fisher, Mike Cron and Geoff Parling, on not just the captaincy but all aspects of team decisions.

It won’t be a dictatorship, and Schmidt will not be known for radical, out of the blue announcements.

But the debate as to who should lead the Wallabies this year will, nevertheless, be robust.

World Cup captain Will Skelton won’t be considered for the July Tests, and nor will any other overseas-based players, who will likely be brought in for The Rugby Championship starting in August.

La Rochelle's Australian lock Will Skelton (C) runs with the ball during the French Top14 rugby union match between Stade Rochelais (La Rochelle) and Racing 92 at The Marcel-Deflandre Stadium in La Rochelle, western France on June 8, 2024. Picture: AFP

And Skelton’s replacement in France last year, Dave Porecki, is recovering from a long-term injury and is also unlikely to be in the first squad.

It’s expected Schmidt will name between 36-38 players on Friday, and within them will be a handful that will be considered as the squad’s leader, and potentially hold that mantle right through to the British & Irish Lions series next year.

THE CONTENDERS

Allan Alaalatoa captains the Brumbies and is a strong contender to add the national honour to his sparkling rugby CV. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Allan Alaalatoa: The Brumbies captain is a strong candidate to lead his country.

Alaalatoa has once again established himself as the premier tighthead prop in Australia as Taniela Tupou struggles with fitness and form.

It is likely that Alaalatoa starts in the No. 3 jersey in most Tests this year, and he has developed his communication skills with referees while being able to make smart decisions under pressure.

Queensland skipper Fraser McReight was among the best performers in Super rugby this year. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Fraser McReight: The Queensland skipper was one of the best performing players in Super Rugby this year and at just 25, has a long career in the gold jersey ahead of him.

McReight looks set to pick up where Michael Hooper left off as the Wallabies’ No. 7, and may well emulate Hooper as a long-term captain.

Tate McDermott of the Reds looks on. Picture: Michael Bradley/Getty Images

Tate McDermott: The Reds halfback has been an influential player for the Wallabies over the past few years and regardless of game plan or opposition, will be a key feature of the game plan.

So it is not unreasonable to consider him as captain, particularly if Schmidt plans to rotate his forwards during the season.

Veteran halfback Nic White has always been a natural leader on the field. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Nic White: The veteran halfback has always been a natural leader on the field and may be the wise old head given the chance in the early Tests.

However, White is likely to be used as a back-up rather than a starting No. 9 and would likely only be considered if the Wallabies opt for a super young team to take on Wales.

Former Wallabies skipper James Slipper is closing in on the record for most Test appearances. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

James Slipper: The former Wallabies captain, who is on track to break George Gregan’s record for most Test appearances (Gregan had 139 caps, Slipper is on 134), is a proven Test leader and still has the respect of his peers.

Working against Slipper is that he is more likely to be used off the bench when Angus Bell returns to full fitness, which means selectors won’t be looking at him as captain against the Lions.

Rebels captain Rob Leota is a left-field option and is in a tough battle to make the squad. Picture: AFP

Rob Leota: The Melbourne Rebels skipper led his club admirably during an arduous and emotional season, guiding them to the playoffs for the first time.

Leota, 27, is a left-field option but faces a tough backrow battle with McReight, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, and new contenders Charlie Cale, Jeremy Williams and Seru Uru all in the mix for the squad.

Andrew Kellaway has been part of the Wallabies leadership group for the past few years. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Andrew Kellaway: The Rebels outside back has been a regular member of the Wallabies leadership group in the past few years and is one of the team’s most consistent performers.

While it’s not beyond the realms of possibility, Kellaway will struggle because he’s more likely to be considered as a winger in the early games, with Tom Wright set to win the fullback battle.

Wingers are least often considered for Test captaincy given they’re furthest from the action on the field.

Harry Plummer of the Blues is tackled by Rob Valetini of the Brumbies during the semi final of the Super Rugby Pacific match between the Blues and Brumbies at Eden Park in Auckland on June 14, 2024. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

Rob Valetini: One of the few guaranteed starters in the Wallabies team, the reigning John Eales medallist is a man who leads by example.

Schmidt may not want to burden Valetini with the added pressure of being the team’s captain, but looking ahead to the Lions, the 25-year-old is one of the very few who will be a pivotal figure for Australia against the Lions.