The Irish hooker returned from South Africa a hero, after his awesome performances with the ball in hand. With so many English players likely to make the squad, and a strong English presence among the management, in the form of Andy Robinson and Phil Larder, Henry's choice as captain could prove crucial. That's not to say either player could not do the job required. Johnson, a pragmatist if ever there was one, prefers to do his talking on the pitch. Widely regarded as one of the greatest lock forwards in the world, as captain he would demand instant respect from every player as well as offering a nod towards England, whose coach, after all, has been left behind.
Wood offers something completely different.
A world class player in his own right, he would bring charisma to the role and would certainly capture the imagination of the Australia public. So too at home. It is certainly more risky. But should Henry achieve success with Wood at the helm, he would be lauded for his approach to the tour. Perhaps he will surprise us, but Henry, much like Johnson himself, remains a pragmatist.