It has been reported that Newsome will captain the Waratahs in the absence of injured skipper Jake Gordon, who is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after injuring his ankle in a 41-7 loss to the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

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Newsome, 26, was named vice-captain last season - a position he held this year.

He will captain the side against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Izaia Perese's suspension could result in Newsome being shifted from the wing to the centres for the round two clash.

"Nobby [Newsome] has been a leader the whole year," Waratahs winger James Ramm told the SMH.

"He's been around a fair while, he's well respected by all the boys, he'll have no trouble stepping up there.

"He's been vice-captain before and he's a massive leader within the team. The amount of talk he gets through on the field and at training is crazy."

It is understood that NSW coach Rob Penney opted for Michael Hooper to captain the side last year over Newsome because Hooper would be closer to the action more often.

Ramm believes Newsome can lead the side from out wide.

"Wherever he plays, he'll do the job," Ramm said.