The Brumbies made the announcement on Friday, a week out from their pre-season trial against the NSW Waratahs in Wagga Wagga.
It follows Lealiifano’s new flexible two-year deal signed earlier this week, allowing him to play in Japan while staying in Canberra until at least the end of 2018.
He becomes the 14th captain of the club, where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2008.
“This place has played a big part in my life and in my journey growing up as well,” he said.
“I’m excited about what’s ahead and it’s an absolute privilege to be named co-captain of such an amazing club.”
Coach Stephen Larkham said Moore and Lealiifano, who have 203 Brumbies caps between them, have earned the right to lead the side.
“Whether it’s at training, in team meetings or on game day, both players take it upon themselves to lift the rest of the squad when they need it,” Larkham said.
“Having players like Stephen and Christian to look up to and learn from is invaluable for younger members of the team. They lead from the front every day and aren’t afraid to make the tough calls when the game is on the line.”
The Brumbies play their first match of the season proper against the Hurricanes on February 26 at GIO Stadium.
Ken
Guest
Cant believe QRU signed Moore for 2017..He is way past it ..What?? he'll be 35 in 2017 ??
Lara
Guest
Special congratulations to Christian, really good choice.
Machooka
Roar Guru
It's the perfect illustration eh?
cuw
Guest
i think seniority plays a part in decision making. when cruden and messam were co captains it was messam who made the calls. with nasi manyu and smith it was smith. but interestingly a couple of years ago chiefs has craig clake and messsam as co-cpatains :) and during his last year latimer was made co-captain if my memory serves me right . though not officail with allblacks the leadership ladder was mccaw read conrad mealamu. somehow both carter and nonu shunned leadership roles though dominant in their positions.
Akari
Roar Rookie
I was probably too harsh on the young fella but it's an odd call from the Brumbies. I am guessing that Pocock has refused to be bought and god bless the man as, with respect to CL, Moore should still rightly be THE captain.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Larkham will more than likely be Wallabies coach in 4 years time.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Cool Akari... as I was going to call you out on this one yesterday. Hey, have the Brumbies lost their compass... I know really weird things happen, or don't in da capital but this is... ??
Akari
Roar Rookie
It is indeed bribery and a ridiculous call from the Brumbies to appoint co-caps; CL is either good enough to be captain or not at all. CL should have taken the European offers as he is unlikely to make the Wallabies team in 4 years as Larkham is too weak to stand up for him last year and in 4 years.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
According to Larkham in an interview yesterday, Christian is not guaranteed the captaincy next year. Christian has always been a leader for the Polynesian squad members.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Bugger, you beat me to it Jordan and The Older. I wasn't intending to even read the article but that photo drew me in. Stephen Moore looks for all the world like he knows where they hid the apple pie.
the older
Guest
cat,canary
grapeseed
Guest
I would like to see them progress to a point where all on field decisions are made by a panel of current and former players, and endorsed by the Brumbies board.
grapeseed
Guest
I believe that with Pocock's conversion to hooker underway, he will be understudying Moore throughout the year. Hence LLF will be more of the full time "On field" captain by the back end of the season when Pocock is getting run on time at 2.
bryan
Guest
might be based off injuries too... they might say get through this season and your the man. Remember, he has had 2 full years out and missed a few games last year too.
Jordan
Guest
That photo..
Utah
Guest
Captaincy capabilities aside, if it means keeping the best player in the game then you favour them on a marginal call. All the other codes do it. They reward their best players with leadership roles. Unless they're Todd Carney or Kevin Pietersen, it's smart business.
Utah
Guest
He hasn't been captain for 4 years. He was 23. How'd you think Lealiifano would have gone as captain 5yrs ago, at 23. Or Moore, ten yrs ago at 23. Do we write Hooper off as a future captain because at 23 he captained a poor Wallaby side?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He has never in the games he has been captain shown to be a good captain that adds value to the team having him in that role. He may not be poor. That's not the point. How good a player is irrelevant as long as the player is good enough to be a starter, the role of captain is not to be the best player, it's to be the best leader. The player needs to be able to empathise and relate to all the players, but also be able to act in the best interests of the team.
Fox Molder
Guest
The Brumbs could always take a leaf out of the NSW SOO team book and appoint a bench player as captain.
Utah
Guest
Not to mention the fact that he is Australia's best player and the powers that be should be doing all they can to retain him. If he goes it will be a massive massive blow to the game locally. It's not as if he's one of those players who threatens every two years to go to league or France or AFL, like numerous players in the current set up. He's a genuine rugby player, who, currently, is far and away our best. They should be moving mountains to give him what he wants.