New Melbourne Rebels skipper Nick Stirzaker in fitness race ahead of opening Super Rugby round

NEW Melbourne Rebels skipper Nic Stirzaker is locked in a race to be fit for next Friday night’s Super Rugby season opener against Western Force.

Melbourne Rebels announce their captain Nic Stirzaker ahead of their 2016 Super Rugby season launch at Docklands in Melbourne, Australia.Picture:Ian Currie

NEW Melbourne Rebels skipper Nic Stirzaker is locked in a race to be fit for next Friday night’s Super Rugby season opener against Western Force.

The 24-year-old was appointed the Rebels’ new captain, taking over from recently departed forward Scott Higginbotham.

Although it is no certainty he will lead his side into battle in Round 1 next week.

Stirzaker underwent a shoulder reconstruction during the off-season and is not yet back to full strength.

Although the talented scrumhalf, who is tipped by many to be a future Wallaby, said he will be doing everything he can to be on the flight to Perth.

“I had a reco but I had a little setback a few weeks ago with one of my shoulder muscles,” he said.

“I’m hoping to get there next week, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Stirzaker’s new title was officially announced at the club’s season launch at Docklands.

He said he will be the type of the leader that leads with both his actions and his words.

“When you’re a halfback I guess you have to be pretty vocal anyway, so there is a lot of that side of the game and driving the boys,” he said.

“And like anyone, you need to let your training and your playing do the talking and get everyone behind you.

“It is a huge honour to lead a bunch of my really good mates.

“We’ve got a really good leadership group with a lot of experience with guys like Tamati Ellison and Mike Harris.

“We have a strong group leading the team and it makes it a lot easier.”

The Rebels won a club-high seven games last season to miss the finals by just two games.

Although there were also five matches in which they lost by five points or under, which provides a big platform for improvement.

“It gives us a lot of confidence to know we were right in there last year,” Stirzaker said.

“Now it is about just being a little bit tougher in this those five-minute periods during game to ensure we don’t’ have any slip ups.

“And then we can pay right through consistently and make sure we turn some of those closes losses into wins this season.”