Adam Coleman is opening a new chapter in his Australian rugby story, and he has plenty more left to write.
Coleman, speaking to RUGBY.com.au before the announcement of his Rebels captaincy, said the contracted Super Rugby competition had left he and his teammates with a need to show their quality.
“That's the common interest between the Rebels and the Force is that potentially it was between both of us to get cut and it's having that same feeling, definitely a key motivator for both parties coming together,” he said.
“That's why we're blending so well as a team - we've got that extra motivation to prove that we're here for a reason.”
Coleman opted to stay in Australian rugby for 2018 and beyond despite overtures from overseas, something he said was in part because he felt there was more for him to give.
“I feel like there's some unfinished business,” he said.
“We've built something over in Western Australia, I want to come here and really finish what we started.
“I feel like we can do that.”
Coleman will headline a team that has more depth on paper than any Australian team in recent memory and through a 50-19 trial loss to the Brumbies might show there’s more work to do, it’s a situation of which he is acutely aware.
“There's probably three people you could easily put in there and it'd be a seamless transition, on the field and the training pitch,” he said.
“This is probably the team I've been in that has got the most depth that I've been a part of.”
On a personal level, Coleman said he felt fitter than ever going into season 2018, after a string of injuries last season.
“I missed six weeks of the (Super Rugby) season, which wasn't ideal but with every injury you have to take a positive out of it and I really went into the June series playing some good footy,” he said.
“Some say it could be a blessing in disguise.
“Even if you have an injury, you've really got to take what time you can in the gym and really make a positive out of the situation.
“I felt like I did that. and then going on Spring Tour, I broke my thumb against Wales.
“Some reporters said I was cursed on Spring Tour, because of my knee last year and I broke my thumb this year but this is probably the best I've come back in and I really can't wait to play.”
The Rebels open their Super Rugby season on Friday February 23 against the Reds at AAMI Park, kicking off at 7:45pm AEDT. Buy tickets here.
