Mowen leads England Wallabies

Getty Images

Ben Mowen replaces James Horwill as captain of Australia for Saturday's meeting with England at Twickenham.

The back-row forward, 28, made his Test debut against the British and Irish Lions in June and will lead the Wallabies for the second time.

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie said 28-year-old Horwill's recent displays had led to him losing the captaincy.

"By his own lofty standards, James would admit he hasn't been at peak form," said McKenzie.

"We've made the decision to remove the added pressures and responsibilities of being a captain this week so that he can focus entirely on bringing his 'A' game.

"There's no doubting James is a world-class leader but it's important he is putting his own personal performance first and playing to the level we know he is capable of on a weekly basis."

Mowen, who led Australia previously during their 14-13 home win over Argentina in the recent Rugby Championship, moves to number eight for Saturday's Test.

Scott Fardy returns at blind-side flanker while Sitaleki Timani partners Horwill in the second row with fellow lock Rob Simmons a late withdrawal after re-injuring medial ligaments in training this week.

Nick Cummins, a try-scorer in Australia's 20-14 victory at Twickenham last year,returns on the wing after recovering from a fractured hand.

Matt Toomua retains the number 12 jersey ahead of ACT Brumbies team-mate Christian Leali'ifano, who has to settle for a place on the bench on his return from an ankle injury.

Fly-half Quade Cooper, back in favour under McKenzie after being left out by his predecessor Robbie Deans, is made vice-captain.

"We're recognising Quade for the ongoing decision-making role he plays on the field and the positive involvements he continues to make in contributing to the culture of the team off the field," McKenzie added.

Australia team: Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs); Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies), Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Nick Cummins (Western Force); Quade Cooper (vice-captain, Queensland Reds), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies), Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies), Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Ben Mowen (captain, ACT Brumbies)

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Nic White (ACT Brumbies), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)

Related articles

• Mowen named as Australia captain
• Horwill dumped as Wallabies skipper
• Ben Mowen to captain Australia, Rob Simmons out injured
• Autumn Internationals Preview: England vs Australia, Twickenham, Saturday 14:30
• Genia to play 50 games for Australia
• Joel Tomkins called up for England as Australia dump their captain

Wallabies Drop Will Genia

Getty Images

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has run out of patience with an out-of-sorts Will Genia, dropping the scrumhalf to the bench for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against Argentina and installing a new captain with only six tests under his belt.

ACT Brumbies' Nic White has been promoted in place of Genia, who was also stripped of the captaincy in a stinging blow for a player rated one of the world's finest scrumhalves.

Number eight Ben Mowen, who made his test debut against the British and Irish Lions less than three months ago, will lead the team in Perth as regular skipper James Horwill battles to recover from a hamstring strain.

"The fact that Will has captained his country shows what high regard we hold him in and, while he is naturally disappointed, I also know how competitive he is and I've got no doubts he will train himself to a standstill to bounce back as a better player," McKenzie said in a media release.

"We've spoken about what areas we believe he can continue to improve and evolve his game and he was receptive to going back and addressing those things.

"In the end, it wasn't an easy decision because he is undoubtedly a world class player.

"However, we also feel Nic has earned an opportunity to start and will add his own uniqueness and point of difference to how we want to play this game."

McKenzie also tweaked a pack that has been hit by a number of injuries and struggled in last week's 38-12 demolition by South Africa and the two previous defeats to world champions New Zealand.

Tighthead prop Ben Alexander has been promoted from the bench at the expense of Sekope Kepu, while lock Sitaleki Timani comes into the reserves.

Backrower Ben McCalman retained the place on the bench he was handed by Horwill's injury, while centre Tevita Kuridrani was also given a spot among the replacements in place of fellow Brumbies back Jesse Mogg.

Barring Genia's demotion, the backline remains largely unchanged with James O'Connor and Nick Cummins swapping wings and Quade Cooper keeping his place at flyhalf.

Having started his tenure with three successive losses that have the Wallabies at the bottom of the standings, McKenzie had said he would "dumb down" his game-plan after the team's comprehensive defeat to South Africa.

On Wednesday, however, he defended his coaching staff's approach amid criticism in the wake of the Lang Park debacle.

"Australian rugby is renowned for smart, attractive and running rugby and there is a continued determination from the coaching staff and players to play with ambition and flair," he said.

"We aren't moving away from this philosophy."

Team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-James O'Connor, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Christian Leali'ifano, 11-Nick Cummins, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Ben Mowen (capt), 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Scott Fardy, 5-Kane Douglas, 4-Rob Simmons, 3-Ben Alexander, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-James Slipper

Replacements: 16-Saia Fainga'a, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Sekope Kepu, 19-Sitaleki Timani, 20-Ben McCalman, 21-Will Genia, 22-Matt Toomua, 23-Tevita Kuridrani

Related articles

• Wallabies' Captain Genia dropped for Argentina clash
• Genia dumped as Wallabies get brutal
• Will Genia dropped by Wallabies, Ben Mowen to captain, Rugby Championship 2013
• Genia dropped for Pumas clash
• Wallabies captain Genia axed
• Wallabies drop Will Genia for Argentina Test

Cooper Returns to McKenzie's Gold

Getty Images

Quade Cooper returns to the Wallabies starting side at fly-half on his home turf against the Springboks at Lang Park on Saturday.

Israel Folau has been switched to full-back replacing Jesse Mogg who drops back to the bench.

Cooper replaces Brumbies rookie Matt Toomua after starting on the bench in the past two Test losses against the All Blacks.

It will be the first time Cooper has worn the number 10 jersey since the Wallabies defeated South Africa and Argentina in back-to-back Tests last September.

Coach Ewen McKenzie said he is anticipating the match against the Springboks will suit Cooper's game.

"Quade has been contributing well for us playing off the bench," McKenzie told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.

"Looking at how I want to play this this game, he's ideally suited to start this game."

Cooper said his return to the starting side has shown that hard work pays off.

"You just have to continue to work hard," Cooper said.

"I've been in and around the team for a few weeks coming off the bench. Now that I've been given a role as starting number 10 it's very exciting but Matty [Toomua) and Foles [Bernard Foley] will continue to push each other for the position.'

"If you miss out you just have to continue to help out and push each other

McKenzie said he expects the Springboks' dominant kicking game to play into the hands of Folau who is proving one of the most dangerous ball runners in rugby.

"With a player of his running ability the more times he touches the ball the better it is," McKenzie said.

"We think they'll kick a lot. So if they kick, he gets his hands on the ball and that is good.

"Maybe they won't kick as much, we'll see."

Folau has played his first five Tests for the Wallabies on the wing and isn't fazed by moving into the number 15 jersey where he played most of the Super Rugby season for the Waratahs.

"I think it will be easier to slot into the line at full-back but I don't see too much of a different role.

"I have a lot of good players around me who can help me."

In other changes Nick Cummins of the Western Force has been selected on the wing for his sixth Test for the Wallabies.

Sekope Kepu moves into the starting side at prop after starting the past five Tests on the bench.

Queensland's Jake Schatz has the opportunity to make his Wallabies debut after being selected on the bench.

Related articles

• Quade Cooper returns to Wallabies starting line-up
• Quade Cooper to start for Wallabies against Springboks, Israel Folau moves to full-back
• Cooper to start for Wallabies
• Wallabies X-factors out to bury Boks
• Cooper named to start for Wallabies
• Folau named Wallabies fullback