What attributes are important for the Captain of a Super Rugby team?

[ru1906]

From reading many posts, it seems the role of the Captain of a Super Rugby team is more important to a Super Rugby team that many other team sports. Why is this and what attributes are important and necessary to Captain a Super Rugby team, in particular an Australian team?

 

[spooony]

Well the captain plays a big role when the going gets tough and to calm his troops on the field as well as motivating them to keep their heads up. Normally there will be a forward captain and a back line one.

 

[Bardon]

One thing a definitely required of a captain in any rugby team is that he should be an automatic pick if he wasn't the captain. Many teams lose out by appointing someone captain who has all the other attributes for it but he's not the 1st choice for his position.

 

[Empire]

Communication. The ability to negotiate/manipulate/manage the referee, as well as encourage and inspire his players.

I'm also a firm believer that you have one captain, not the ridiculous 5 captains announced yesterday in the
NRL (souths?).

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Yeah, whilst I believe in players being able to have a voice & certainly a vice capt for back-up I dont agree with the way many teams have so many cooks to one pot. After picking a capt, vice capt, emerging capt, most experienced player, leadership group, etc, etc you end up with maybe 2-3 players who are just players. Its all a bit of overkill.

Capts come in many different forms & styles so I dont believe there is one particular set of attributes that really makes a capt. I just think that when it comes to selecting a capt you just need to have a really good idea of the sort of team you've got personality wise & match that to a player whose personality you know is going to have the playing group motivated to follow them as capt.

 

[Moses]

Being not injured would be a good start.
Sorry Rocky

 

[Inside Shoulder]

sometimes thats the only necessary qualification....

 

[spooony]

And great hair don't forget that

 

[Swat]

And great hair don't forget that

If that is the case the tahs should go with 2 rats...

Carter is trying though...

 

[Schadenfreude]

Be like John Eales.

 

[fatprop]

I have always thought captains are over rated, all they do is toss a coin and make a couple of decisions as to kick a goal or not.

I usually didn't take much notice of them

 

[spooony]

Be like John Eales.

He had great Hair

 

[GaffaCHinO]

By the looks of it being a loosie is a good start to!