James Horwill deserves the chance to lead the Walalbies against the British and Irish Lions Likely Wallabies captain James Horwill. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Courier-Mail FOR the moment, it's almost time to put a full stop on the Quade Cooper non-selection issue. But there is one last matter. Sources close to the Wallabies camp have convinced me that his omission from the initial 25-man squad is all about onfield matters and has nothing to do with last year's Twitter episode, or personality issues between coach and player. For the sake of the team progressing under the current regime, that is a relief. I remain completely unconvinced that his performances on the field were not good enough to see him chosen. But every man is entitled to an opinion and when you are charged with picking the actual side, your opinion is the only one that counts. While much of the debate has centred around his supposed defensive frailties, it appears that his comparatively high turnover rate was the singular most telling factor against him. Suffice to say that if in the remaining Super Rugby games and the Reds match against the Lions, if Cooper isn't guilty of providing turnover ball for the opposition, he must be a walk-up start for those final six names. If you were so inclined, you could argue a reasonable (if not always bullet-proof) case for inclusion for each of the 25 names selected. Outside of Cooper, there remain a few puzzles in the make-up of the squad. That no captain has been named is the head of that list for me. In fairness to Robbie Deans, the circumstances, mostly injury-based, have made the captaincy of the Wallabies in recent seasons something of a revolving door. Rocky Elsom, James Horwill, David Pocock, Will Genia and Nathan Sharpe have all had their turn in the past 24 months. That is an enormous turnover of coin-tossers in a short period. So why has the naming of the captain for this much-anticipated Lions series been deferred? What is there still to be observed over the next three weeks that is not already understood? On the assumption there are no left-field thoughts such as presenting someone such as Ben Mowen with the captaincy responsibility, along with his Test debut, it appears to be a two-horse race between James Horwill and Will Genia. Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is one who says the Reds halfback is a better player when saddled with the captaincy, but I don't really buy that. Genia plays well just about every game, with one notable exception being his off night against the Cheetahs last week, although great players should be allowed one shocker every decade or so. In some ways it should be considered an insult to suggest a player performs better when made captain, intimating almost that they hold something back unless they are running the show. I guess there can be a confidence aspect that may help some personalities, but I imagine Genia would be offended if someone suggested he wasn't getting 100 per cent out of himself every time he runs on the field, whether or not there is a "C" beside his name. I believe Horwill has grown as a leader enormously over the past couple of seasons. I don't agree with all of his tactical decision-making but it is an area where I believe he is pretty self-critical and will continue to improve. Like Genia, he enjoys respect from all those around him. Given he is Reds captain, I cannot see the logic in having him leapfrogged by his provincial teammate for the national job. Selectors can be guilty of occasionally over-thinking things and trying to make a case for something when there is no real need for it. It would be best for the team to know their leader as soon as possible.