Wallaby lock forward Adam Coleman will captain the Melbourne Rebels for the 2018 Super Rugby season. Coleman’s father is Pau’u Afeaki – who captained the 1983 ‘Ikale Tahi team.

Coleman has never played for the Rebels before and moves from the Western Force, who were axed from this year’s Super Rugby season. He assumes the Rebel’s captaincy, once held by Wallaby greats Stirling Mortlock and Scott Higginbottom.

Standing 6’8½ feet tall, Coleman was the tallest player in the Wallabies team last year. The 26-year-old has made 18 test appearances for Australia, scoring three tries.

Coleman said in a Melbourne Rebels statement: “It’s a privilege to be named Rebels captain and I’m grateful to Dave (Rebels Coach) and the team for giving me the opportunity,”

“This is an exciting time at our club, and our goal is to make the people of Melbourne proud. We know we have a have a lot of work to do but everyone is really getting on-board and committing to it."