Hooker Stephen Moore will lead Australia at the 2015 Rugby World Cup after being named Wallabies captain for the season by coach Michael Cheika on 6 July.
Moore, 32, was also named captain in 2014 by then coach Ewen McKenzie, only to be ruled out for the rest of the season by a knee injury in the first few seconds of his first test in charge against France.
Cheika said: I just think hes got a good balance around when to play what role and that comes with experience, you know. You cant get that from anywhere else but playing however many test matches that Stephens played for Australia, you cant get that, cant have that without it.
As our other players, we have a young squad, really. I mean, if you look at the age group of our squad, the majority of players will not only be able to play this World Cup but probably be the next World Cup as well. I dont know if youll [Stephen Moore] make it, will you make it to the next one, Im not sure.
So, the idea is that weve got someone whos got a lot of experience leading those guys. I think thats a really logical assumption to come to and decision to make and also I really like the way hes come back from injury and played this season on a personal level. Hes been really consistent and hes led his team very well.
Moore, captain of ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby, has played 92 tests for his country since his debut against Samoa in 2005, and the World Cup in England in September will be his third.
He was one of the main advocates for a stronger team culture when off-field problems for some younger players threatened the unity of the squad under both Robbie Deans and McKenzie.
Anytime I get to pull the Wallaby jumper on is very special to me and Ive been lucky to do it a lot of times, but the next game is the most important now and to have the opportunity to lead the side starting next Sunday [12 July] is massive and Im really honoured. I think, you know, I said to the boys last night, Im very lucky in this group to have so many quality leaders alongside me. said Moore.
I looked around the room there and theres a number of guys who have captained Australia and a number of guys who have captained their franchises and, to me, that makes me really confident that we can do well. Starting obviously with Hoops [Michael Hooper], who Ive got a lot of respect for. Ive played with him and against him a lot and hes a quality bloke and a great player and Im looking forward to leading the team with him and Coopy [Adam Ashley-Cooper).
