Quirindi export Sam Carter will co-captain Super Rugby side ACT Brumbies in season 2017.
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Carter and fellow Wallaby Christian Lealiifano were announced to take on the role during the club’s season launch in Canberra on Wednesday.
The lock forward, 27, will take the on-field duties while Lealiifano continues his recovery from a bone-marrow transplant after being diagnosed with leukaemia last August.
Carter led the Brumbies in an emphatic trial win against the Australian Barbarians last weekend and is relishing taking on the position.
“It’s a huge honour for me, I’m really excited about the season ahead,” Carter told the Brumbies website.
“He [Stephen Larkham] told me a couple of weeks ago and it was a little bit of a shock but it was also something I wanted, I was confident that I could fulfil the role.
“We’ve got huge leaders in the team, we’ve got blokes with massive experience and that can only help moving forward.
“The boys in the team really look up to them and that makes my job easier.”
Capped 13 times for the Wallabies, Carter has blossomed into the country’s best lock since his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2011.
The Quirindi talent is in contract negotiations to extend his ACT career, which currently stands at 79 senior appearances.
He was the 19th player from the Central North region to represent his country when he debuted against France in Brisbane in June 2014, following in the footsteps of father David.
David, who played No.8, earned five Wallabies caps between 1988 and 1989.
ACT coach Larkham said the two skippers would make a telling impact.
“You can see a noticeable lift when Christian is around,” Larkham said.
“He’s a motivator and he’s got immense respect from the players.
“I’m optimistic about a possible return for Christian and, whilst playing this season is unlikely, we hope he will be in a position to train with the squad later in the year.”
The Brumbies will be making the trek to Mudgee this weekend for a trial match against NSW Waratahs at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium.
ACT is striving to be a major force when the 2017 season kicks-off with an away trip to Christchurch against the Crusaders on February 25.
Despite being the top side in the Australian conference courtesy of a 10-5 win-loss record last season, the Brumbies bowed out in the opening week of the finals following a narrow home defeat to the Hurricanes.
