Mowen to stay Brumbies skipper

Updated January 10, 2013 14:51:12

Ben Mowen will again lead the ACT Brumbies in this season's Super 15 series ahead of Wallabies David Pocock and Stephen Moore, head coach Jake White said on Thursday.

Pocock, who has captained the Wallabies, joined the Brumbies in the off-season from the Western Force, where he also led the Perth-based Super 15 side.

White said number eight Mowen had proven himself to be a valuable leader of the Brumbies.

"Ben's proven above and beyond that he is a quality leader and the right man to be captain of this team into the future," White said.

"There were numerous times through the (last) season that his leadership proved the difference for the Brumbies and it's a pleasure to have him back in the same position for 2013."

AFP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted January 10, 2013 14:51:12

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Mowen called up to Wallabies squad

Updated June 02, 2012 17:37:47

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has been called into the Wallabies' extended squad as cover for injured number eight Ben McCalman.

McCalman has been troubled by an ongoing shoulder injury ahead of Tuesday night's season-opening Test against Scotland in Newcastle.

The uncapped Mowen was a surprising omission when the Wallabies' squad was initially announced, although whether he is contention to be a member of the matchday 22 to meet Scotland remains uncertain.

The Wallabies; Test squad will be announced on Sunday.

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted June 02, 2012 17:37:47

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White shocked by Mowen snub

Updated May 28, 2012 11:54:32

Brumbies coach Jake White is flabbergasted by Ben Mowen's continued absence from Wallabies squads after his captain was again overlooked by Robbie Deans..

While eight Brumbies players, including five uncapped improvers, rode off the back of the ACT franchise's terrific Super Rugby rise, back rower Mowen was unlucky to be left out of the 39-man training squad.

Mowen was still ignored despite three 2011 World Cup back row selections - Rocky Elsom, Radike Samo and Matt Hodgson - all being omitted by Deans' selection panel.

The 27-year-old lost out with former New South Wales Waratahs team-mates Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu and Western Force No.8 Ben McCalman preferred ahead of the Brumbies skipper.

The decision is one which former World Cup-winning South Africa coach White can not get his head around considering Mowen's form and leadership value for the Australian conference leaders.

"I must be honest, I'm not just saying it because it's Ben, I just don't understand why he has never been picked," White said.

"The reality is he's versatile, he's a great leader, he's captained a lot of these players at junior level.

"I think he's showed he's got something special, not just the way he's led the team but the way he's played."

A surprise choice as captain by White, Mowen has impressed at both No.8 and blindside flanker for the Brumbies who remain five points ahead of defending champions Queensland despite their 13-12 loss to the Reds on Saturday night.

The unexpected rise of White's team has seen prop Dan Palmer, openside flanker Michael Hooper, half-back Nic White, winger Joe Tomane and full-back Jesse Mogg all selected for their first Test squads.

With World Cup trio Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander and Pat McCabe, the Brumbies tally of eight is three less than both Queensland and New South Wales.

The Reds would have had 13 if not for deflating injuries to captain James Horwill (hamstring) and utility back Ben Lucas (groin).

Horwill will undergo scans on Monday while star back Kurtley Beale will receive results of scans on an ongoing shoulder problem.

Beale exacerbated the injury in the Melbourne Rebels 66-24 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday and he's in doubt for the opening Tests of the year against Scotland (June 5) and Wales (June 9).

Despite just 120 minutes of rugby in his return from a knee reconstruction, Quade Cooper was included in the squad due to injuries to Beale, James O'Connor, Christian Lealiifano and Lucas.

New South Wales duo Berrick Barnes and Bernard Foley also loom as five-eighth candidates.

The biggest bolter of the squad is Rebels lock Cadeyrn Neville, a 202cm former AIS rower who only started playing fourth grade with Manly in 2009 and made his Super Rugby debut in the past month.

He has played just four Super Rugby games.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia, act

First posted May 28, 2012 10:10:51

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Mowen back for Brumbies

Updated May 03, 2012 13:39:02

The Brumbies welcome back captain Ben Mowen from injury for Saturday night's derby against New South Wales at Canberra Stadium.

Mowen missed last Saturday morning's (AEST) 34-20 win over the Lions in Johannesburg because of a neck injury but has been cleared fit to return against the Brumbies' bitter rival.

Sam Carter also returns to the starting line-up at lock, replacing Leon Power, while Dan Palmer replaces Ruaidhri Murphy at tighthead prop.

Murphy drops to a 4-3 (four forwards, three backs) bench, as does Peter Kimlin, who made way for Mowen's return.

Mowen joined the Brumbies from the Waratahs and coach Jake White knows how important this match is to his in-form skipper.

"Ben looked after himself well last week to be sure he wasn't going to miss two games," White said in a statement.

"This is a big one for him, playing against his former team for the first time."

The Brumbies lead the Australian conference on 31 points, five ahead of the second-placed Waratahs.

Brumbies squad:

Jesse Mogg Henry Speight Andrew Smith Pat McCabe Joe Tomane Christian Lealiifano Nic White Fotu Auelua Michael Hooper Ben Mowen (captain) Sam Carter Scott Fardy Dan Palmer Stephen Moore Ben Alexander

Reserves: Anthony Hegarty, Ruaidhri Murphy, Peter Kimlin, Ita Vaea, Ian Prior, Robbie Coleman, Tevita Kuridrani

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, canberra-2600

First posted May 03, 2012 13:39:02

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Brumbies snare Tahs forward Mowen

Posted July 6, 2011 12:02:00

New South Wales back rower Ben Mowen is the Brumbies' latest acquisition as new coach Jake White rebuilds the Super Rugby team after its dismal 13th place season.

The 26-year-old Mowen has signed for the next two years with the Brumbies after three seasons at the Waratahs and said he was excited by the opportunity to play under 2007 World Cup winning coach White.

"I've spoken to Jake a couple of times and that's what sealed it for me, his enthusiasm and his commitment to making sure we are well placed from day one to be competitive," Mowen said.

He joins a squad which is losing Wallabies stars Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper but expressed confidence about the future.

"It's exciting to be given the chance to work with a young, up-coming group at the Brumbies," Mowen said.

"The Brumbies faced a few challenges this year, but I'm sure it has made them stronger as a team and I'm looking forward to building on that over the next couple of years."

White has also landed Australian Under 20s and Western Force Academy hooker Siliva Siliva for two years.

Siliva has spent the past week at Wallabies scrum camp getting to know some of his future team-mates like Ben Alexander and Stephen Moore.

White last month bolstered the Brumbies' backline stocks with the signing of NRL centre Joseph Tomane to a two-year deal.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, act, canberra-2600, nsw, sydney-2000

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