After Barnaby Joyce was named the new leader of the Nationals this week, following the resignation of Warren Truss, there’s bound to be interesting times ahead.

Mr Joyce, a more outgoing and outspoken MP than the measured Mr Truss, will bring a new spark to the leadership and, the Nationals would hope, a new prominence to the party.

But his elevation to the leadership would also impact on the futures of those around him, including Calare MP John Cobb.

While Mr Cobb was happy to praise the performance of the respected Mr Truss during his 18 years in parliament, he was not as forthcoming with his views on the new leader.

To be fair, when Mr Cobb spoke there were still two candidates expected to run for the leadership. But many political observers might suggest Mr Cobb’s reluctance to comment was prompted by more than the fear of backing the wrong horse in the race.

Rumours have been going round for some time now suggesting Mr Joyce and Mr Cobb are not the closest of friends in Canberra, and the rumours only intensified after Mr Joyce became Agriculture Minister a position keenly sought by Mr Cobb following the Coalition’s return to government in 2013.

We now wait to see, then, whether a change in boss has any impact on Mr Cobb’s oft-stated intention of contesting the next election.

Mr Cobb has enjoyed a long career in politics and is at an age where questions about his future are inevitable. There would be no shortage of strong candidates lining up to contest preselection for the Calare Nationals if he decided to stand aside, but most have made it clear they would not dare challenge him for the job.

The ball, as always, remains in his court.