Mumm to skipper Wallabies

By Mark Stevens

Dean Mumm has spoken of his pride after he was today named as captain for Australia ahead of their latest Rugby World Cup clash with Uruguay at Villa Park on Sunday (12pm).

The former Exeter Chiefs talisman will become the 84th player to lead the Wallabies, who have made 14 changes to their side from that which defeated Fiji in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Mumm departed Sandy Park following the final Aviva Premiership game of last season to return to former club NSW Waratahs having been given the opportunity to resurrect his Test career by Aussie coach Michael Cheika.

Impressive displays for his country in the Championship sealed his World Cup place and this week the 31-year-old was used as a second half replacement in their Pool A fixture against the Fijians.

Now, Mumm - who made his Test debut against Ireland in 2008 - will mark his 39th international cap by leading an Australian line-up featuring 800 caps of experience.

Supporting Mumm in a new-look leadership team will be first-time vice-captain Drew Mitchell, and Ben McCalman, who will deputise for the second time in his career. McCalman previously shared the Wallabies vice-captaincy with Matt Giteau in the recent Test against the USA Eagles in Chicago.

“It’s an incredible honour to lead this group of players,” said Mumm. “Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper have done an outstanding job as a leadership team this season and I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to contribute to what they’ve created and lead the team on Sunday.”

“This is a really important match in our campaign and four players are getting the opportunity to play in their first Rugby World Cup match, so it is a significant occasion for those players and a chance for us to build on the performance against Fiji.”

Cheika said he wanted to give every player a taste of the Rugby World Cup, while looking to improve and build momentum as a group.

“We really want the entire squad to get a touch of the ball early at this Rugby World Cup and get everyone into match mode. We will need all 31 players ready for action throughout the tournament and this is the first chance to do that for many of this team.

“We’ve had a solid preparation for this match considering that we’ve had to play two games in five days and we’re very happy with where the players are at.

"It's important we continue to improve each day as a collective.”

Wallabies team to play Uruguay

1. Scott Sio

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau

3. Toby Smith

4. Dean Mumm (capt)

5. Will Skelton

6. Ben McCalman

7. Sean McMahon

8. Wycliff Palu

9. Nick Phipps

10. Quade Cooper

11. Drew Mitchell

12. Matt Toomua

13. Henry Speight

14. Joe Tomane

15. Kurtley Beale

 

Replacements

16. Stephen Moore

17. Sekope Kepu

18. Greg Holmes

19. Kane Douglas

20. Rob Simmons

21. Will Genia

22. Bernard Foley

23. Tevita Kuridrani