Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has backed Stephen Moore to lead Australia at this year's Rugby Championship and World Cup.
Mortlock believes the stalwart hooker has a lot of unfinished business, after injury curtailed his chance to lead the team last year.
Moore was captain for barely five minutes when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first Test against France in July.
He was replaced by Michael Hooper, the youngest Wallabies captain at just 22, who retained the role under new coach Michael Cheika for the spring tour of Europe.
But retired star Mortlock said he would love to see Moore reinstated.
"First and foremost, he's a great guy and legend of a bloke," he told AAP on Friday.
"He's got full respect of all his peers, the playing group, coaching staff - and externally as well.
"When he first got the opportunity as skipper of the Wallabies, he was struck down with injury straight away, so I feel like he'll have a lot of unfinished business that he wants to take care of."
Mortlock said he admired Moore's brutal honesty and ability to lead by example.
"I think all those attributes, and the fact he's a really seasoned campaigner, that's what you need going into a World Cup - someone that's been there, knows all the ins and outs," he said.
"And I think Moore brings that to the table."
Good leadership is particularly important this year, given the short time Cheika has had with the team ahead of the Rugby Championship beginning on July 18 against the Springboks.
Mortlock said the Wallabies were in a decent space, but the condensed three-round competition was important to build some confidence and show what they're capable of.
"I don't want to put too much pressure on them, but I feel when they get to the World Cup, they'll be in the right frame of mind to absolutely have a fair crack at the title," he said.
"Ireland are one team that are looking really strong, but there's no one team that are absolutely standout to be No.1 and no one else is going to test them.
"From that perspective, it's really important for the Wallabies to do quite well in the Rugby Championship and ingrain the attributes and positive signs leading into the Cup."
With David Pocock back to his best and the likes of Will Skelton on the rise, Mortlock believes Australia will have a very dominant back-row.
"The reality is, that's where it's going to be won and lost for us," he said.
Share
