The orders for Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham from new Melbourne coach Tony McGahan are simple: more of the same please.
The Wallabies backrower was officially handed the Super Rugby captaincy role at Rebels headquarters on Monday after acting in the position for much of the 2013 season.
Higginbotham’s elevation then resulted in some career-best form and the 27-year-old was considered a certainty to extend his 23-Test career against the British and Irish Lions before season-ending surgery on his shoulder and hip.
McGahan said he had been impressed by how Higginbotham handled himself on and off the field.
“Some guys struggle with the captaincy but Scott really thrived in the environment of being captain,” McGahan said.
“His ability to inspire his teammates on the field, and to communicate clearly and effectively with match officials, meant that it was always going to be hard for any of his teammates to usurp him into the captaincy role.”
Higginbotham, in his first season with Melbourne, maintained his reputation as an enforcer but also took his running game to a new level.
He said he actually felt less pressure taking on the extra responsibility as skipper and was surprised by how much he enjoyed it.
“It brings a new element to the game, you’re not just running around worrying about what you’re doing,” he said.
“It takes a lot of pressure off you because you’re worrying about everything else that’s happening on the field and not just your particular role, and that works for me.”
Higginbotham has been back into full contact training for two weeks – his first full pre-season in three years – and he said he expected big things from the Rebels, who have shed troubled stars Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.
Their first trial is against NSW in Albury on February 1 and a vice-captain won’t be named until closer to their opening match against the Cheetahs at AAMI Park on February 28.
Markus
Guest
Hegarty and Roberts was a toss-up, you are right that Hegarty probably showed more but neither really looked like a game changer for me. They really would have loved to secure Foley for next year. I can't find room for Lachie Mitchell. He is clearly a team man who gives his all, but I just don't think he has ever shown enough at this level. Time to give another young outside back a go (without constantly releasing them after one season a la Betham, Kimami Sitauti, JP du Plessis). And that is a real blow with Sexton out. They were already looking very light at hooker with Ged Robinson heading home, hopefully Horie can handle the step up to starting consistently.
Sam
Guest
Markus, pretty much agree. I'd like to find room for Lachie MItchell in the side. Roberts is so-so at 10, I think Hegarty did better. BTW Tom Sexton is out for the season, he did an ACL in the preseason.
Stray Gator
Roar Rookie
Not sure that Robbo was a mate. And if he was, he's definitely off the Xmas card list now. Still, as Higgers himself said, it meant his surgeon could slice and dice two birds with one general, and still leave him with time enough for his first decent pre-season in four years. Here's hoping for a huge year for him and the rest of the lads. Go Rebels!
Dru
Guest
FOS, with you totally. And what is this nonsense about being 27? Spring chicken with an easy 5 years and possibly more. Anyone remember Samo?
Markus
Guest
Assuming Ellison can play inside centre, I'd hazard a guess at: 1. Toby Smith 2. Tom Sexton 3. Laurie Weeks 4. Hugh Pyle 5. Luke Jones 6. Lopeti Timani 7 Colby Faingaa 8. Scott Higginbotham 9. Luke Burgess 10. Angus Roberts 11. Tom Kingston 12. Tamati Ellison 13. Mitch Inman 14. Tom English 15. Jason Woodward 16. Paul Alo-Emile 17. Max Lahiff 18. Shota Horie 19. Cadeyrn Neville 20. Scott Fuglistaller 21. Nic Stirzaker 22. Bryce Hegarty 23. Alex Rokobaro/Telusa Veianu The wingers aren't really fear-inspiring, and flyhalf is clearly a real issue, but overall that is looking like a decent team.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ jameswm : care to forecast a 23 from the following squad? :) Cruze Ah-Nau Prop Eddie Aholelei Prop Paul Alo-Emile Prop Luke Burgess Scrumhalf Jack Debreczeni Flyhalf Tamati Ellison Centre Tom English Centre Colby Fainga'a Openside Flanker Scott Fuglistaller Openside Flanker Bryce Hegarty Flyhalf Scott Higginbotham No. 8 Shota Horie Hooker Mitch Inman Centre Sam Jeffries Lock Luke Jones Lock Tom Kingston Wing Max Lahiff Prop Pat Leafa Hooker Sean McMahon Blindside Flanker Ben Meehan Scrumhalf Lachlan Mitchell Centre Cadeyrn Neville Lock Hugh Pyle Lock Jordy Reid Openside Flanker Angus Roberts Flyhalf Alex Rokobaro Fullback Tom Sexton Hooker Toby Smith Prop Nic Stirzaker Scrumhalf Chris Thomson Lock Lopeti Timani No. 8 Telusa Veainu Wing Laurie Weeks Prop Jason Woodward Fullback
Hambone
Guest
heres hoping he can carry that superb for season past into 2014.. he really took the bull by the horns. was really disappointing to see him go down injured in that game v the reds to his mate and miss the international season. would have been interesting to see if he could carry that form through to the grand stage and see how it held up
jameswm
Roar Guru
Higgers and Pocock will add an edge to our backrow when available. Fardy or Palu can be the 3rd member, with Hooper to come in from the bench. It's at lock we need 2-3 to step up - and that includes you, Kev.
jameswm
Roar Guru
But fos aren't Schatz, Quirk and Gill the three best backrowers in the comp?
formeropenside
Guest
A shame the ARU forced a move to the Rebels. The Reds missed his hard running in 2013.
messa
Guest
So long as he's actually hitting rucks vouching for higgers is a good thing... But when he reverts to old habits, and he will at some stage cos old habits die hard, we should not let perceptions dictate our opinion on this bloke. Yes he looks the part but in reality he is yet to do anything of much significance at test level and he is 27! If he has a big year and extends that form into the international arena than that would be great but time will tell
Kiwi Rugby/Rugby League Fan
Guest
Higgonbottoms by far the Aussies most agressive forward . Go get them big fulla