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Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu has been appointed captain for Moana Pasifika in their debut season.
Kepu, who’s had an illustrious career on the international rugby stage, will lead out the boys in blue this Friday ahead of their pre-season match with the Chiefs.
Sekope has donned the Wallabies jersey for over 100 tests as a prop and is also the most capped Australian player in the position. He’s also made 141 appearances for the NSW Waratahs to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the group.
“Just extremely humbled by the opportunity not only for myself but also for my family,” Kepu says.
“After coming back from a year of uncertainty, I truly am blessed.
“I am very honoured to be leading this special group of boys.”
Head coach Aaron Mauger spoke highly of the soft spoken but industrious Kepu and why he was an obvious pick for the role.
“He’s a hardworking, humble guy and he carries his heart which is a representation of what this team is all about,” Mauger says.
“Kepu had always been a standout leader for the team right from the get go last year. It was really evident early that he was that guy, and he was the one that confirmed that he was that guy for the role”
With a lot of uncertainty overshadowing this Super Rugby season, Kepu is not too fazed about the background dilemmas and its effect on the team.
He says the burden of leadership is being carried not just by himself but also by other senior players which will be essential in uniting the boys as an aiga (family).
“Guys like Christian Lealiifano, Jack Lam they’ve captained other teams before. You know we have a good leadership group that can help each other,” Kepu says.
“By no means I will be taking this job alone. I will be drawing on those guys’ experiences so that we can get the waka sailing.”
Apart from his captaincy role, Kepu says he is excited about their first hit up on Friday night against the Chiefs and to also be back playing rugby with the boys.
Not having had much game time last year in the ITM Cup, Kepu believes his “legs are still holding up” which will be crucial come time to lace up the boots.
“I’m not expecting it to be slow and the Chiefs love to throw the ball around,” he says.
“It’s going to be a true test to what we have been working on the last month, so it will be a tough and fast-paced battle.”
