UPDATE: Aside from looking to pack scrums more often, new Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa says he won't be changing his approach to life or rugby with his added responsibility.
Alaalatoa will take the reins from Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano, who both moved overseas at the end of the 2019 season.
The 24-year-old was widely considered to be one of the frontrunners for the position, having been a mainstay of the leadership group in recent seasons and one of the most consistent on-field performers.
Alaalatoa said the biggest thing he had learned from his predecessor Lealiifano was that captaincy shouldn't change a person and that is the approach he is taking in his new role.
"People say that I am but that's probably something that naturally comes out," he said.
"I've always been someone that talks on the field and then I'm kind of a relaxed joker off the field. I've got to find that balance. I think being captain is not really going to change who I am, I've been picked captain for who I am and I think that's the biggest thing or my reminder for myself is to continue to be the best version of me and just put my best self out there every day both on and off the field.
Alaalatoa joked, though, that there might be a few more set piece options taken in 2020 but he would look to others to help him in-game.
"That's exactly right - five metres out from my own line go for the scrum," he laughed.
"Naturally you're always going to think of the set piece but sometimes you're going to have to think to kick a goal.
"That's the beauty of having a coach like Dan McKellar around and some experienced players in the team.
"Obviously James Slipper's captained the Reds and he's someone I could tap into and ask for his advice as well."
While he shoulders plenty of responsibility in games as a tighthead prop, Alaalatoa said he was confident he could take leadership decisions in his stride but wouldn't be afraid to confer with his teammates.
Our 2020 Captain & Vice Captains! pic.twitter.com/bLfcMYXteH
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"I've got a great leadership group around me," he said.
"You get little split seconds in the game where you can ask for those pointers or what the other boys are thinking or seeing at the same time but at the end of the day there's gong to be some decisions I'm going to make and those are decisions that will be right for the team and I've just got to back myself as soon as I make that decision.
"I think it's going to be a huge learning curve for myself but first and foremost it's just to back the first decision I make and just continue to grow throughout the year."
McKellar said Alaalatoa was the obvious choice to take over as skipper and took the option to his front rower to discuss in recent months.
"Myself and Al had a good discussion a few months back when I was considering the idea," he said.
"I just wanted to speak to him first and foremost and make sure he was comfortable with it.
"I think he's an outstanding choice, he's someone who's held in really high regard at our club for his actions on-field and how he carries himself off the field.
"I think the legacy the past leaders have left at the organisation and the direction we're taking as a football team, as an organisation that he loves and is really passionate about that he'll carry that forward."
Mckellar said Alaalatoa's approachable nature had made him one of the key figures in the Brumbies organisation.
'He's someone that anyone within the team or organisation can go to and talk to," he said.
"He's someone that will always come to the coaches with ideas and happy to challenge the coaches when required and I think just he's a true professional, how he prepares for a game of rugby from one week to the next.
"It's not rocks and diamonds with Al, you always get that consistency with his preparation and he leads by example and that's all you can ask for in a leader."
The tighthead prop has played all his Super Rugby with the Brumbies and has already re-signed with the team to stay in Canberra until at least 2023.
Joe Powell, Locky McCaffrey and Tom Cusack will serve as Alaalatoa's vice-captains.The Brumbies take on the Rebels in their only preseason trial on Thursday January 23 at Greenfield Reserve in Albury, LIVE on RUGBY.com.au.
