Taylor named Blues captain

12:00 pm

Northland's Glenn Taylor has been appointed captain of the Blues side for next year's Super 12 rugby competition.

Coach Peter Sloane said Taylor had valuable experience as captain of Northland in the National Provincial Championship for the last two years.

Taylor's elevation to the captaincy comes after previous Blues coach Frank Oliver struggled to find a place for the lock in this year's Blues side.

"We are delighted that Glenn has accepted the position as he has invaluable NPC and Super 12 experience as well as an excellent understanding of what is required as a captain, both on and off the field," Sloane said in a statement.

"We are also fortunate that the team has other leaders in Mark Robinson (North Harbour) and Xavier Rush (Auckland) who will provide Glenn with plenty of support."

Sloane said the Blues would play their first pre-season game against the Chiefs at Waitakere Stadium on February 1.

"Glenn Taylor had to prove to himself and to us that he would be good enough to hold his spot in the team as a first pick number five," Sloane said.

"He's done that and more."

Taylor's position was announced to the team on Monday at the start of a week-long training camp at the Blues' headquarters at Eden Park.

He has been one of the fittest forwards this week and has lost weight since the end of Northland's NPC campaign.

"I'm more the sort of captain who likes to do his talking on the field. I'm not one for making big speeches and all that stuff. I like to get out there and do my stuff on the pitch," Taylor said.

"It's all about doing the hard work now and making sure we get things right for the start of the Super 12."

Taylor steps into the job after two less than impressive Super 12 seasons for the Blues but says the camp this week had gone a long way to launching the team on a positive note.

"There hasn't been much said about last season. Obviously it wasn't the greatest for me personally. But it is all about looking ahead."

Sloane said he had been impressed by the attitude in the camp, but was wary as well.

"It is fresh and exciting but there have been plenty of fresh and exciting teams that haven't won before."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE