The Melbourne Rebels have selected a group of 5 players for their leadership group in 2015 but have delayed announcing their captain by a week.
Foundation Rebel Laurie Weeks and loose forwards Scott Fuglistaller and Scott Higginbotham retain their places from the 2014 leadership group, while Pat Leafa and Nic Stirzaker are added into the 5-man group for the first time.
Rebels’ Head Coach Tony McGahan believes the group will lead the Club with pride during the upcoming season.
“The leadership credentials of all 5 players chosen were acknowledged by their teammates and the club’s on-field staff, during a thorough process which identified the best people to take the Club forward at this point in time,” he explained.
“Fuglistaller, Higginbotham and Weeks experienced many different circumstances last season in their roles and those experiences, both positive and challenging, will be important in shaping the squad in 2015.
“Along with Pat and Nic, young leaders with a great connection to the direction of the club in oncoming years, we are confident that these 5 players, with the support of the entire Rebels organisation, will do a fantastic job.”
Physical hooker Leafa joined the Rebels from the Tuggeranong Vikings ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season, and enjoyed a breakthrough 2014 as he played every game.
He is hugely respected by teammates and staff alike at the club, and re-committed to the Rebels until the end of 2016 last season.
Scrumhalf Stirzaker heads into his 4th season in Melbourne on the back of captaining the Melbourne Rising for their charge to the National Rugby Championship premiership.
The 23 year old is the club’s representative on the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) board, and demonstrated wonderful leadership during the NRC.
Fuglistaller, Higginbotham and Weeks boast 114 Rebels’ caps between them, with Higginbotham and Weeks also having represented the Wallabies.
The club will finalise their captaincy announcement next Friday.
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