Chiefs: Cane, Cruden co-captains for 2016

Sam Cane (right) and Aaron Cruden have been named as co-captains for the Chiefs. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Experienced campaigners Sam Cane and Aaron Cruden will co-captain the Gallagher Chiefs in 2016.

Cane, from Reporoa, made his Investec Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs in 2011, with Cruden moving north from the Hurricanes to join the Chiefs in 2012. To date, the duo has amassed a combined 121 caps for the two-time Super Rugby champions.

Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie said the appointment of Cruden and Cane as co-captains allowed them to share the significant workload the captaincy involves.

"Sharing the captaincy and the accompanying workload between two proud Chiefs men in Sam and Aaron makes a lot of sense. They're both bloody good players and quality men, who set high expectations and demand the best from their teammates both on and off the field.

"Having Aaron here during the preseason to train alongside the new boys has given him the opportunity to connect with them and also empathise with how hard they've been working. Sam is back training this week inspired and determined, having had a decent break to regenerate following his impressive 2015 year with the Chiefs and All Blacks," Rennie said.

Co-captain and Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Cane said: "It's been nice to physically and mentally recharge the batteries after a memorable 2015. Growing up in this region and being a Chiefs supporter from a young age it's a huge honour to lead the 2016 Gallagher Chiefs with Aaron. It's a challenge I'm really looking forward to and am excited about. We've got a great mix of youth and experience in the squad and a lot of great leaders within the group who will support us and share the workload."

Cane's leadership abilities were highlighted internationally in 2015 when the 23-year-old captained the All Blacks against Namibia in their second pool game of the Rugby World Cup. It was a natural progression for the young flanker having been involved in the All Blacks leadership group since 2013. It also won't be his first time at the helm for the Gallagher Chiefs, in 2015 he captained the team against the Highlanders in the absence of regular captain Liam Messam.

Chiefs co-captain Aaron shared his excitement about his return to rugby following a lengthy injury break.

"I'm really excited to be back training and in the Chiefs environment after such a long injury layoff. It's nice to be running around again and getting to know the new men in the squad. I've been really impressed with the work ethic of the whole group during preseason and I'm looking forward to leading this team with Sam in 2016 and hopefully through our hard work, bringing another title back to the Chiefs region."

The Gallagher Chiefs take on the Lions in their first home game of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby competition on Saturday, March 5 at FMG Stadium Waikato.