12 Have your say
Prop Ben Alexander says the Wallabies need to keep players like Ben Mowen, who is in a pay dispute with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
Having only made his Test debut this season – and already captained the Wallabies – back rower Mowen is reportedly considering his playing future with a move offshore an option.
Mowen, who has started all eight Tests this year, did not want to speak to the media about his contract situation at the Wallabies camp in Argentina, with a team spokesman only saying that “negotiations are continuing”.
Australia can ill-afford to lose a player with such obvious leadership qualities that he was made captain in only his sixth Test in the absence of injured regular skipper James Horwill, leading them to the gutsy 14-13 win over Argentina in Perth last month.
He also led the Brumbies to the Super Rugby final earlier this year.
Mowen is not receiving a top-up contract from the ARU despite being a regular starter in the team since making his debut against the British and Irish Lions in June and now a vice-captain.
The cash-strapped ARU is limiting top-ups and has introduced a policy where players only get the extra payment if they have played for more than two years with the Test team.
With the Wallabies struggling under new coach Ewen McKenzie and the shock departure last week of Brumbies mentor Jake White, Mowen’s value to both teams has sky-rocketed.
“You just need all the players you can get,” Alexander said.
“Benny has done a great job on field speaking with referees, organising our line-out with Brumbies and Wallabies.
“He’s done a great job in tandem with the coaches in turning the Brumbies around and led us to within a whisker of winning the whole comp.
“It is is up to Benny to sort out what is the best decision for himself and his family and whatever that is, we will support him.”
Following White’s surprise departure, Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher have both been promoted from assistant coaches to custodians, with one to be given the Brumbies top job permanently.
Alexander, who has 80 caps with the side, says he has not been contacted by Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan for his opinion.
“I shouldn’t expect we would be,” he said.
“We are the players, not the bosses.
“We will leave it up to the board … that’s their decision and we will back whoever they pick.”
© AAP 2013