Brumbies coach Jake White has unveiled the captain and vice-captains for the 2013 campaign.
On the back of the 2012 season where the Brumbies surprised many by just falling short of a finals berth, White has stuck with Ben Mowen as captain despite the arrival of David Pocock and said he had not even thought about changing the captain.
White said that Mowen had the respect of the team and was the logical choice to continue in the role in 2013. Mowen was integral in setting up the culture for the new-look Brumbies in 2012 and those plans are slowly coming together.
When asked about this season’s expectations, White was straight to the point in saying he wanted to win the whole competition and believes this side can go all the way.
There have been some changes in the vice-captaincy ranks with Stephen Moore, David Pocock and Christian Lealiifano selected to assist Mowen. Moore is in his second season as vice-captain. Lealiifano and Pocock take over from Dan Palmer and Pat McCabe.
Pocock has previous experience in leading a side at the Western Force and also at Wallabies level when James Horwill was injured so the decision was easy for White to appoint him in the role.
After putting a knee injury behind him, Pocock is relishing the challenge of helping the team not only on the field but off the field and is on track for the first trial match in Darwin.
Christian Lealiifano has been rewarded after an impressive season in 2012 before injury ruined his chances of further honours, and with a number of squad players having Polynesian background White feels his appointment is important as role model and mentor for those players.
Lealiifano, who underwent shoulder and ankle surgery during the off season, was somewhat surprised when White approached him but was happy to be selected in that role and is keen to get back on the field after not playing since May.
The Brumbies take on the Western Force in a trial match in Darwin on 1 February. Another trial against an ACT XV will be played on 8 February in Canberra before the Super season commences at home against the Queensland Reds on 16 February.
