Rebels leadership role could be the making of Scott Higginbotham
Wallabies captaincy may well be next for fast-maturing Melbourne hardman
Where opposing players, judicial officers and brick walls have all failed, the responsibilities of leadership have succeeded in making Wallabies enforcer Scott Higginbotham take a backwards step in the heat of battle.
After impressing as stand-in skipper for his provincial side last year, the back-row battering ram is relishing the captaincy full-time at Super Rugby's Melbourne Rebels, and may be set for higher office if he continues to impress Australia coach Ewen McKenzie.
The only casualty of 27-year-old Higginbotham's promotion has been his appetite for a scrap, and fans are unlikely to see the fiery redhead charging into an unruly melee at the drop of a hat this season.
Being captain you can’t keep getting involved in everything that goes on out on the field
"It's fantastic. I'm really enjoying [the captaincy]. I've got a great group of young guys," Higginbotham said.
"It's a rough game, you sort of pull yourself back from a lot of stuff. Being captain you can't keep getting involved in everything that goes on out on the field.
"Apart from that, It's just the same old game, really, you just talk to the ref a bit more."
Higginbotham has long traded on his unbridled aggression, unfazed by record or reputation.
He announced himself in his debut Super Rugby match for the Queensland Reds in 2008 by laying a bone-jarring hit on South Africa winger Bryan Habana.