RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels Japanese import, Shota Horie, is set to be the teams' fifth captain when they take on the Southern Kings from South Africa this Saturday night at AAMI Park. Horie has been named on the bench and despite the possibility he may not make it on the field, he is pumped at the opportunity to lead from the sideline.
"I am very honoured to be given the captaincy and will do my best to lead the team on or off the bench" said a very humbled Shora Horie. Rebels head coach, Damien Hill, shrugged off criticism that Horie had not had enough game time to warrant the little "c" next to his name: "Shota may not have had much time on the pitch, but you just have to see how he keeps the other boys on the bench in line, you just know he is a born leader". Nic Stirzaker agrees: "Having spent a lot of time on the bench with Shota, I am confident he will make a great captain". "He is always telling me to stop fidgeting and to sit up straight - I have learnt a lot from him this season".
Hill also says that language difficulties will not be an issue for Horie: "Shota has no issues understanding the calls, however, to help him out in more complex discussions with the referee and other players, Shota will have an interpreter with him on the field at all times, just in case".
A clearly excited Shota added: "I can't wait to have my turn as captain for the Rebels, I hope to make a big impact before someone else gets to have a turn in the next match". Hill was tight-lipped about who might get the next go at captain, but rumours are rife that Laurie Weeks will get the nod.
When Western Force head coach, Michael Foley, was asked to comment, he said "Oh, for God's sake, shut up!".
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