Newby to captain Otago, keen to beat Lions

DUNEDIN - Craig Newby will captain the Otago rugby team when he makes his debut for the province against the Lions in Dunedin on June 18.

Loose forward Newby, 25, has been influenced by former All Blacks captain Wayne Shelford, who was his coach when he made his first-class debut for North Harbour in 2000.

"When I'm playing in a game I see things like Buck and Todd Blackadder," he said.

"I like Buck's style.

"But in the week before a game I talk a lot and like to delegate jobs to the guys."

The other two influences on his captaincy style are Highlanders captain Anton Oliver and North Harbour captain Joe Ward.

"This year Anton was a more rounded leader and enjoyed himself more," Newby said.

"In past years he had a lot of political stuff on his back. This year he doesn't have that."

Newby filled in as Highlanders captain against the Stormers and Chiefs during the Super 12 this year when Oliver was injured this year.

His last fulltime job as captain was when he led Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV for two years.

"I've done the odd game for the Highlanders and North Harbour but my experience of captaincy is slim at the first-class level," he said.

Newby has played 49 first-class games for North Harbour and has been a member of the Blues and Highlanders Super 12 teams. He played two tests for the All Blacks last year.

Newby leaves no doubt about his ambition to beat the Lions next week.

"I'd love to win. I'd like to keep that Otago history going. It will be a massive week in Dunedin if we win."

Newby is confident Otago have the team to beat the Lions, who beat Taranaki 36-14 in their second tour match in New Plymouth tonight.

"Our backline is filled with Super 12 players and there are a few guys in the forwards who have worn the All Blacks jersey," he said.

"If we can win the backs enough ball and put pressure on them at the breakdown I think we can win."

- nzpa