The Plus500 Brumbies are proud to announce that Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano will continue in the role of co-captains for the duration of the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Carter and Lealiifano were initially awarded the joint honour at the beginning of the 2017 season and, with Christian continuing his remarkable recovery from Leukaemia, Carter led the team onto the field for most of the campaign.
The continuity of choosing the same players brings stability to the role.
“Both Sam and Christian did a good job as co-captains last season showing excellent leadership both on and off the field,” Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar commented.
“In reappointing them for the new season we are maintaining our continuity of leadership and I am certain that they will both have a big impact in the role during the year.
It’s important for our captains to have the respect of their team mates and both Sam and Christian definitely have that.
”Carter became the fifteenth man to lead out the Brumbies when he skippered the side for the first-time last year, against the Crusaders in Christchurch, with the departed Scott Fardy being Captain number 16 when he led the side in the 43-10 victory over the Reds at GIO Stadium in April.
“Over the last twelve months Sam has developed into an outstanding leader,” McKellar commented.
“The way he has led from the front in his actions during pre-season has certainly impressed both the staff and players.
“Christian comes back to the club having benefited enormously from his time with Ulster in the PRO14. Having that game-time under his belt will be a big bonus heading into the Super Rugby season and he has hit the ground running at training.”
The Brumbies aren’t short of experienced leaders throughout the team with dynamic flanker David Pocock set to pull on the Brumbies jumper again during the Super Rugby season and the likes of Wallaby star Scott Sio and most-capped Brumby Ben Alexander also leading from the front.
The Brumbies kick-off their 2018 season with a trial match against the Rebels at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan on Saturday 3 February with kick-off at 6pm.
THE MEN WHO HAVE LED THE BRUMBIES
Brett Robinson (1996)
Ewen McKenzie (1996)
George Gregan (1999)
Stirling Mortlock (2004)
Owen Finegan (2004)
George Smith (2007)
Alister Campbell (2007)
Stephen Hoiles (2009)
Matt Giteau (2011)
Ben Mowen (2012)
Nic White (2013)
Stephen Moore (2015)
David Pocock (2015)
Christian Lealiifano (2016)
Sam Carter (2017)
Scott Fardy (2017)
