'Family reasons' is PR speak for 'to make more money'. Would have been nice to see him hang around and push to retain his spot and hold onto the captaincy. Who knows what injuries or form will come up in 2014. The sceptic in me doesn't like the fact that he is taking the cash after his first breakout Wallaby season.
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that was my first feeling as well. The SMH article states that the negotiations for the ARU top-up were halted after the decision, but I'm wondering whether it was the other way around. Even so, it doesn't make much difference to the outcome if the ARU couldn't offer the top-up. Just a shame, as he seems like a steady head that fit well with what Ewen was aiming to acheive.
With Pocock to come back, the impact of Mowen leaving in terms of leadership probably won't be felt that much for both Brums and Wallabies