Leader: Gareth Delve
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Melbourne Rebels have announced that Welsh number eight Gareth Delve will captain the franchise this year.
The first and only Welshman to play Super Rugby will lead in 2013, in a role he filled with distinction in the absence of Stirling Mortlock last year.
The Rod Macqueen Pursuit of Excellence Award winner will be the first international to ever be named captain of an Australian Super Rugby Team.
The back-row forward has been one of the standout players at the side, with the 2011 and 2012 vice captain missing only one match since joining the Rebels as a foundation player.
Melbourne Rebels head coach Damien Hill said the decision was one the franchise is very proud of.
"It is a great day for the Club to announce the appointment of Gareth as the second Captain in this Club's history," said Hill.
"Gareth leads by example on the field, and is a player many people at our Club, not just the players, look up to.
"Not only is he respected among his Rebels peers, he is respected among the Victorian Rugby community. Recognition of this is him winning the People's Choice Award in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons."
The new captain for the 2013 season is extremely proud to represent this squad in the upcoming Super Rugby competition, expected to be the biggest in Victoria's history.
"It's an incredible honour and one I didn't expect when I turned up three years ago as a foreign player," he said.
"The Club's been fantastic in terms of giving me that opportunity, letting me have a leadership role and be a part of building a great culture at this Club.
"It's going to be a great year for Rugby Union in Victoria, and I'm very proud to be a part of that."
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