Coach Eddie Jones reveals Sydney Swans link behind huge Wallabies captaincy call
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has revealed that he consulted Sydney Swans boss John Longmire before settling on a co-captaincy model for the 2023 Test season.
Jones made history on Sunday by naming Test centurions Michael Hooper and James Slipper as co-captains ahead of the Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup.
The Chiefs, who lost Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final, use the same model under co-captains Sam Cane and Brad Weber - and it is also familiar territory for the Swans.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones with co-captains James Slipper and Michael Hooper. Getty
"Last Wednesday mate, I went out and spent the day at Sydney Swans with John Longmire," Jones told Nine's Sports Sunday.
"And they've got a tradition of having co-captaincy, you know, they've had up to eight captains, they've had three captains and I just wanted to delve down into the area of the advantages, of the disadvantages.
"And I think with Slips and Hoops, we cover the range of the squad. Both have got a slightly different approach to leadership, both have got a slightly different approach to the way they play the game.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones speaks to media. Getty
"And I think together they can be a really strong captaincy group."
Slipper led the Wallabies at the end of 2022 after Hooper returned home from the Rugby Championship to prioritise his mental health.
"Two players with immense experience," Wallabies great Drew Mitchell said.
James Slipper lifts the Hopetoun Cup. Getty
"That probably speaks to those both being older guys, but also won't probably play every Test match. But also just players that connect to the wider group as well."
Jones said it had "probably been one of the hardest squads I've had to select."
There are eight uncapped players in Carter Gordon, Josh Kemeny, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Ryan Lonergan, Dylan Pietsch and Richie Arnold.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones watches Carter Gordon. Getty
The big name omissions include Bernard Foley, James O'Connor, Harry Wilson, Cadeyrn Neville, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Hunter Paisami, Ned Hanigan and Lachlan Lonergan.
"I've been really impressed by the work ethic and attitude of the players and therefore there was a number of positions that were tight. The backrow was tight, standoff was tight, halfbacks was tight," Jones said.
"So there's been a few sleepless nights... you can only have so many players and we're lucky in Australia to have such depth. I can sit here comfortably and say that we've picked the best squad to represent Australia."
WALLABIES SQUAD
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Richie Arnold, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Matt Gibbon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper, Tom Hooper, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Dave Porecki, Pete Samu, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese, Rob Valetini
Backs: Quade Cooper, Lalakai Foketi, Carter Gordon, Reece Hodge, Len Ikitau, Marika Koroibete, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Tom Wright
Utilities: Ben Donaldson, Josh Kemeny, Dylan Pietsch
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