Horwill (L) and Mowen insist there's no bad blood over the captaincy change. Source: News Limited
BEN Mowen says there is no need to "hold hands" and have a heart-to-heart discussion with James Horwill after replacing him as Wallabies captain.
The new skipper and Horwill have moved on quickly from the shock announcement, brought about because of Horwill's poor form, and for differing reasons are determined to trounce England at Twickenham this weekend.
Any team leadership overhaul has the potential to cause friction but Mowen said his friendship with Horwill would ensure that is not the case.
"We haven't really felt the need to sit down and hold hands and talk about it, we've just both gotten on with our jobs," Mowen said.
"Me and Kev have been mates for a very long time and we've got a pretty good balance when we work together.
"All that happens is that balance continues, so we certainly haven't felt the need to be too worried about it.
"It's business as usual."
But Mowen does expect Horwill to come out firing and lead by example.
"He's going to have a massive role for us come Saturday in terms of leadership," Mowen said.
"Whether you've got a 'C' next to your name or not, he is a leader and I know he'll be looking to put a huge performance in."
Mowen could not have imagined at the start of the year, when was yet to play a Test at age 28, that he would be skippering the Wallabies at Twickenham.
"I would have taken carrying the drinks on the spring tour," Mowen grinned.
"Just to be here is very special.
"It is a great privilege, certainly one that's not lost on me, I've waited a long time to play England in England.
"Personally just to be part of that, the rest of the team are excited by that, and then to receive that honour is very special.
"I'll be doing my best to contribute to a result come Saturday."
Mowen did not wish to comment on his ongoing contractual dispute with the ARU, who are refusing him a top-up salary despite him now holding the most senior title in the team.
The Brumbies leader said this weekend he will stick with what has worked for him since he took over his first formal captaincy role at senior level with the Canberra franchise last year.
"I just want to make sure the things I usually do when I've led sides I do consistently well, which is help give the team really clear directives," Mowen said.
"That's what the coaching staff have been doing throughout the week, and then it becomes the captain's job then to really drive that later in the week and take that into the game.
"As long as I'm clear on getting those messages through to the side, it's just about helping the game managers on the field and making sure we're executing that, the rest takes care of itself."
The Wallabies must triumph in the battle of the forwards if they are to defeat their old foes, who have named combative giants Billy Vunipola and Courtney Lawes in their starting side.
"England are England, you know what's coming," Mowen said.
"It's going to be a big battle up front, and in the last couple of years they've certainly played with more width and a willingness to attack, certainly inside our defensive half.
"It's a huge challenge, you don't know over the sides they've been knocking over without good structures in place."
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Chris Ashton, Joel Tomkins, Billy Twelvetrees, Marland Yarde; Owen Farrell, Lee Dickson; Billy Vunipola, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Wood; Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler, David Wilson, Dave Attwood, Ben Morgan, Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Ben Foden
Australia (15-1)
Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Nick Cummins, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben Mowen (capt), Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga'a, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Ben McCAlman, Nic White, Christian Leali'ifano, Bernard Foley.
01 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/ben-mowen-insists-all-is-well-with-james-horwill-despite-captaincy-change/story-fndptke0-1226751406427?from=public_rss
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