World Cup memories inspire new Aussie skipper
Ben Mowen says he set his heart on playing the English when he was a young buck growing up
Australia captain Ben Mowen hopes he’ll only be crying tears of joy at Twickenham on Saturday when the Wallabies face England a decade on from the teams’ epic World Cup final clash.
England’s extra-time 20-17 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney in 2003 saw them become the first, and so far only, northern hemisphere nation to lift the World Cup.
And for a teenage Mowen that loss, sealed by Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal, was tough to take.
“Growing up I watched the England 2003 game. For us to go down in the final – I remember sitting there with a few tears in my eyes at a mate’s house watching that happen,” Mowen said.
“I was 18 in 2003 so I was going to all the pool games in Brisbane and really enjoyed that time.
“I thought the two best sides were in the final and that was just an amazing game. I think traditionally Australia and England bring out the best in each other.”
Saturday’s match will be Mowen’s first international against England, with the Brumbies skipper – he replaced James Horwill as Australia captain having deputised for him in September’s win over Argentina in Perth – only having made his test debut against the British and Irish Lions in June.