Monday, November 21, 2005
Gregan to bow out?
Despite denying reports Wallaby skipper, George Gregan, will retire from international rugby following the Test match this weekend against Wales.

This game will round off Australia’s 2005 international fixtures and will be Gregan’s 50th game as captain.

I am not a founder member of the “Get Gregan” campaign, but I have become a keen advocate – at least an ‘active committee member’ – during 2005.

Sadly, like all the best despots, he has hung on too long. Now, instead of being remember as the tough-as-nuts player, inspirational captain and great ambassador for the game he was, he will be remembered as someone Eddie Jones refused to drop and kept his place long after his form suggested he should.

I cannot remember the last time he emulated William Webb-Ellis and picked up the ball and ran with, or for that matter, kicked. His role has reduced to simply shipping the ball out. Defences no longer have to watch the fringes for a sniping half-back. But even in his passing his technique has failed him. His hop-skip-jump-pass routine – instead of passing off the ground – has restricted the time his first receiver has had to play the ball. Larkham, Gitteau, Tuqiri and Latham have all thrived on getting the ball early and using it, rather than being used as a battering ram with no time on the ball.

And Gregan’s leadership must now be questioned to. In at least four of the seven straight losses the Wallabies were in the box seat midway through the second half. They should have had the wherewithal to close the games out.

Gregan’s contract theoretically sees him through to the 2007 World Cup, but he should go now, so that the Jones – or whoever is coach this Christmas – has time to build a team capable of winning. This team will feature the likes of Henjak, Gerrard and Mitchell, rather than Gregan and Sailor.

1. ?
2. Paul
3. Young
4. Sharpe
5. Vickerman / Chisholm
6. Roe
7. Smith
8. Lyons
9. Henjak
10. Larkham / Rogers
11. Tuqiri
12. Gitteau
13. Rathbone / Mortlock
14. Mitchell
15. Latham

16. Gerrard
17. Turanui
18. Waugh
19. Baxter

The only consolation is that the All Blacks have once again hit between World Cups (almost to the month), instead of at them.

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