Rugby: Joubert to lead Otago

Eben Joubert missed most of the 2010 season with a shoulder injury. Photo / Getty Images

Johannesburg-born flanker Eben Joubert was today named Otago captain for this year's national provincial rugby championship.

The 27-year-old Joubert, who missed most of last season after dislocating a shoulder, will have the experienced former All Blacks Tony Brown, Kees Meeuws and Ben Atiga with him in the blue and gold this year.

"The opportunity to captain the team this season is a real honour," said Joubert.

The squad, which contains All Blacks Adam Thomson and Tom Donnelly, features 16 newcomers including Atiga, Brown, New Zealand sevens representative Buxton Popalii and Hawke's Bay recruit Sam Giddens.

Joining Meeuws in the front row will be former Bay of Plenty prop James McGougan, while Wellington lock Daniel Ramsay has also made the move south.

Squad: Sam Anderson-Heather, Ben Atiga, Halani Aulika, Tony Brown, Liam Coltman, Daniel Crichton, Glenn Dickson, Tom Donnelly, Gareth Evans, Tony Fenner, Tom Franklin, Hanipale Galo, Sam Giddens, Paul Grant, Adam Hill, Joe Hill, TJ Ioane, Eben Joubert (captain), Johhny Legg, Jason Macdonald, James McGougan, Scott Manson, Kees Meeuws, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Daniel Ramsay, Sean Romans, Ben Smith, Adam Thomson, Regan Tamihere, Rob Verbakel.

- NZPA