Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt believes two-cap Wallaby Nick Champion de Crespigny is a 'natural fit' to lead the side against Japan on Saturday in Tokyo.
Despite his inexperience, Schmidt has been taken aback by his leadership, revealing the back-rower has been a part of their leadership group throughout the year.
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It led to Schmidt giving the Canberran the nod despite the presence of Super Rugby skippers Jake Gordon (NSW Waratahs) and Jeremy Williams (Western Force).
“He [de Crespigny] is part of the leadership group, so it was a natural enough progression for him," the coach told reporters.
"I think one of the things was Jake has only had one game back really and is very focused on trying to get his own game right...I think Nick is very much a leader by actions, and he will want to be in the thick of the action as much as he can be.
"Nick has captained [Sydney] University in the past. He was vice-captain of the Western Force when they played against the British and Irish Lions, so he's had recent leadership experience."
The Wallabies will also have Harry Wilson to draw on from the bench, with the regular skipper picked as part of the replacements for the first time since 2021
Champion de Crespigny's lead-from-the-front leadership style has the backing of the players, who are excited to see him rise to the occasion.
"His leadership style is very much all action, and I think that's the best type of leadership, in my opinion. I think he's a player that we're all going to follow into battle come Saturday," lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said. "He'll lead by his actions and amongst the group...a lot of boys that are leaders in their own right.
"The reaction of the group was special. I think the reaction of the group is a reflection of the person that he is and how much he means to the group. The energy that he brings consistently, whether he's in the team or he's not in the team, just goes to show the quality of person that 'Crep' is.
"I had a good chat with him on the plane over the nine hours from Sydney to Tokyo, just to understand him and get to know a bit more about him and the reasoning behind why he came back to Australia. Fast-forward a couple of days when he's named to start out and to also captain for his country, I think if you were to ask him, you'd say it was definitely worth it for him to come back to Australia."
