Newby handed captaincy to mark Otago debut

Craig Newby (left, with coach Wayne Graham) says he's honoured to be leading Otago against the Lions. Picture / Mark Mitchell

When Craig Newby runs onto Carisbrook to make his Otago debut tomorrow, it will be confirmation the North Islander has adopted the southern province as his home.

And just to make sure he stays, coach Wayne Graham has installed his new boy as captain. "I was privileged to be given the responsibility straight away," said Newby.

"It's made me feel pretty humble. It gives me confidence that the guys around me must respect me as a player and captain. It was just pretty cool to be given that responsibility without even having played for Otago."

But he admits to also feeling the weight of Otago's proud history against the Lions. They've beaten the tourists four times in seven games - more than any other provincial side.

"We think about it, but it's adding a little bit of pressure. There's so much expectation on us."

Newby, 25, has played for the Highlanders in recent years and, in November, made the move permanent, enjoying the environment and lifestyle down south.

He says while the rugby culture at both Otago and North Harbour are similar off-the-field, the community approach of Dunedin is a far cry from the more impersonal Auckland approach. "If I'm going fishing, I'll go with three of the guys from the team. If I'm going to movies, I'll ring a few of the boys. With Auckland and North Shore you just go home and do individual stuff."

Home is a renovated bungalow he shares with wife Sally, who is expecting the couple's first child, and fellow northern convert Nick Evans.
Newby has even proven himself handy, with DIY tips picked up from his farmer father.

More so than Evans - "He'll help clean up, or bang in the odd nail. But he doesn't have a handyman bone in his body!"