Rebels captain Tom English becomes most capped player, highest try-scorer

Melbourne Rebels skipper Tom English has racked up his second record of the season after taking over as the team’s most capped player.

Tom English became the most capped Melbourne Rebels player. Picture: AAP

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Rebels club captain Tom English has quietly racked up his second record in Melbourne after taking over as the team’s most capped player.

But the no-nonsense, all business nature of the team currently sitting on top of the Australian conference meant there was little fanfare.

Even English, who now has 86 Rebels caps after being signed in 2013, despite failing his medical test, isn’t shouting it from the rooftops.

That’s partly because he didn’t know until the man he passed, former prop Laurie Weeks, told English he was the new record holder.

Tom English became the most capped Melbourne Rebels player. Picture: AAP

But it’s a record English, who fills the unique role of club captain as distinct from the on-field team captain, to monitor the mood and connectedness of the playing group, is proud of given everything he has endured during his seven seasons in a place he now calls home.

“I’m proud of it. I’ve been here since 2013, the Rebels were the club that gave me my chance, even though I failed my medical. I had a knee injury,” English told the Herald Sun.

“But the club has showed a lot of faith in my over the years. It’s always been a great club full of great people and I think that’s why I have always decided to stick around.”

Now he’s reaping the rewards too, having added five tries this season, taking his career haul to 22, and past Reece Hodge (20) as the greatest tryscorer in Rebels history.

Former cap leader Laurie Weeks. Picture: Getty

But while it’s unlikely his games record will be caught any time soon, given the huge turnover of players in recent times, he could be passed on the try-scoring front.

In just 26 games for the Rebels, 22-year-old “Mad Dog” Jack Maddocks has crossed the line 17 times, including eight times this season.

“He’s Johnny-on-the spot at the moment. He keeps rocking up and getting doubles. He’s hot on my heels,” English said.

“He’s a quality player and he’ll definitely surpass me if he hangs around in Melbourne. Playing outside Will (Genia) and Quade (Cooper) makes it easier to score tries. There’s no doubt he’ll be overtaking me, maybe next year.”

Reece Hodge lost his try-scoring record to English. Picture: AFP

Losing his try-scoring mantle won’t be an issue for English because if it happens, it means the Rebels are winning which, after losing more games than he’s won every year in Melbourne, is the best possible result.

“Words can’t describe how winning is after a solid five years of mixed results and two wooden spoons,” English said.

“To get back in that winning circle is really enjoyable and it just makes you enjoy your day-to-day and week-to-week that much better because you are getting results.”

TRY TIME - REBEL’S GREATEST TRY SCORERS

22 Tom English (86 games)

20 Reece Hodge (47 games)

17 Jack Maddocks (26 games)