The Brumbies have named Stephen Moore and Christian Lealiifano as co-captains for the 2016 season.
In a break from tradition, the Brumbies have named co-captains for the first time in their 21 year history but is a move all concerned will benefit the team with coach Stephen Larkham explaining that the intention is to lessen the load on both Moore and Lealiifano.
For match days, the players know what their roles will be and are confident there won’t be the chance of ‘mixed messages’ being handed out to the team.
At this stage there aren’t any vice-captains although there are a number of experienced players within the squad should the need arise to head down that path.
With Moore announcing a move to the Queensland Reds after the 2016 season, it could be implied that the move is a succession plan although Larkham said that nothing was set in stone beyond the 2016 season.
The move also had Moore thinking that he might be overlooked to lead the side. “When that type of thing happens and particularly given some of the initial reaction, I certainly thought that might happen.”
For Lealiifano it caps a big week after re-signing with the Brumbies for a further two years earlier in the week and comes after nearly ten years of service to the Canberra based side.
Lealiifano credited the culture within the Brumbies that has allowed younger players to add input to get him to where he is today.
Whilst he doesn’t have the same level of experience as Moore with dealing with referees on the field, he sees it as an area to learn and use it when given the opportunity.
The first trial for the Brumbies is next Saturday against the Waratahs in Wagga and with the Brumbies expected to rest a number of players following a tough 2015 campaign, Lealiifano may get his first crack at captaincy.
