The ACT Brumbies will consider adopting a tag-team captaincy duo to start the Super Rugby season to fill the leadership void left by regular skipper Stephen Moore.
But vice-captain Nic White has backed David Pocock to take the reins alone in his Super Rugby comeback when the Brumbies play the Queensland Reds on February 13.
Both White and Pocock have been given chances to lead the team in two pre-season trials. Coach Stephen Larkham will make a call this week on who will be given the captaincy.
Moore is on track to play the round-one clash at Canberra Stadium, but he will be limited to about 20 minutes from the bench.
Pocock has played just five Super Rugby games in two seasons after two knee reconstructions, but his calm nature and outstanding ability to read the game is set to see him step up against the Reds.
"I didn't talk any more or less than I usually do [in the trial matches], not a whole lot changes for me and it was business as usual," White said.
"I'm very confident [in working with Pocock], we're good mates. He's done it for a long time and has a lot of experience under his belt.
"He will probably take the role, I'm still learning from him. Maybe it's a bit of good cop and bad cop. Sometimes he tells me to calm down and sometimes we need a spark up. I'm still learning."
The Brumbies got a solid hit-out in their last trial match, but surrendered a 19-0 lead to lose to the Otago Highlanders 24-19 in Wagga on Saturday night.
Their first-string team fired in the opening stages with Tevita Kuridrani scoring a double and Henry Speight crossing with ease in the first half.
But some scrappy play crept into the game in the second half and the Highlanders snatched victory.
Pocock has now played two pre-season games and Larkham said there were no fears he would suffer another injury after having a knee reconstruction in March last year.
The Brumbies have streamlined their leadership group this season, cutting it in half compared to last year to leave Moore, Pocock and White as the voices of reason.
Larkham believes Pocock's cool approach on the field complements White's fiery nature.
White was sin-binned in the second half against the Highlanders for interfering with a player chasing a kick.
"Poey captained the first half and Whitey captained the second half [against the Highlanders]," Larkham said.
"Poey was outstanding, he was level-headed and discussed situations with the referee. Whitey was equally as good even though he got sin-binned. He didn't really get a chance to build a rapport with the referee.
"Whitey is very fired up on the field and expects good results and performances. We'll wait to make that decision, but they both got a good opportunity."
The Brumbies starting line-up is all-but settled for the match to take on the Reds, with 12 Wallabies set to take the field barring injury.
The Brumbies are still waiting to see how Fotu Auelua recovers from minor knee surgery last week while hooker Mitch Wade suffered a heartbreaking season-ending knee injury against the Highlanders.
Wade, who doesn't have a Super Rugby contract, has a suspected torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Robbie Coleman has secured the fullback position while Blake Enever and Rory Arnold are locked in a battle with Tom Staniforth for the chance to partner Sam Carter in the second row.
Wallabies prop Ben Alexander backed the squad to cover the leadership void left by Moore.
"Poey has done a great job and so has Whitey, you just can't rely on Steve to do everything," Alexander said.
"You need more than just one bloke to do the job. We had a lot of good leaders last year and we've got the same this year. Poey and Whitey are definitely up to the challenge if Steve isn't there.
"I think we've got a solid grounding for the year, we've just got to learn to finish games off, we'll take a lot of confidence out of our trials."
