9 Oct 2012

Injured Wallabies captain defends his team

11:49 am on 9 October 2012

The injured Australian rugby captain James Horwill has defended his team in the wake of stinging criticism from a former All Blacks captain.

Responding to a claim by Taine Randell in a newspaper column about an unprecedented drop in standard by the Wallabies this year, Horwill praised his injury-hit team's "guts and fortitude" following their win over Argentina last Sunday, and their second place frinish in the Rugby Championship.

Randell accused the Wallabies of lacking "courage, confidence and loyalty", and he believes Australia doesn't have enough quality players to field five Super Rugby teams.