Sean McMahon is taking leadership in his stride, as he prepares to captain the Melbourne Rebels for the third week in a row.
McMahon has taken over the captaincy role in place of injured skipper Nic Stirzaker ,with the 21-year-old leading Melbourne in their trial against Samoa and to open the Super Rugby season.
The back rower said his leadership style had been influenced by his time at last year’s Rugby World Cup, learning off Stephen Moore and experienced Test players like David Pocock.
“Going to the World Cup and learning from players like Stephen Moore and leaders like david pocock they’re all players that lead by example and they’re really dominant through their knowledge and knowledge of game,” he said.
“Learning from them that’s probably what i want to continue to do is be a ‘lead by example’ leader and have the knowledge of the game where I can make the right decisions throughout the whole of the game if I’m given an opportunity as a leader on the field.”
McMahon said the Rebels had recovered well from the stifling conditions in Perth in the opening round, ahead of their only South African visit this year.
“Perth was extremely hot but we have great off-field staff and we were straight back into recovery,” he asid.
“I don’t think we could be in a better position right now.”
McMahon, who had a quiet game by his lofty standards in the opener, said he was looking to make more of an impact as the Rebels search for their first win in South Africa.
“Personally I thought I could’ve done a little bit more especially coming into that first round of games,” he said.
“It was one of those games where it’s a little bit hard to get into.
“I’m excited and we’ll take it with both hands have a red hot crack and jump right in.”
“Personally I thought I could’ve done a little bit more especially coming into that first round of games one of those games where it’s a little bit hard to get into.
“I’m excited and we’ll take it with both hands have a red hot crack and jump right in.
The Rebels will be without Mike Harris, Colby Fainga’a and Stirzaker for the Bulls clash but McMahon said he was confident their depth would be able to cover it.
“That’s just professional Rugby, (things) always pop up with injuries throughout the season,” he said.
‘We showed we’ve got a lot of depth last weekend against the Force."
