captained png to beat the lions as did boycotts granny

She did it in her pinny though. I hope Rhyse didnt.

He already captains his national side, experienced player, went well for us last year, will play long minutes

Experienced player hes hardly played any 1st grade rugby. He captains PNG cos hes ome of only a few to have played in NRL. Dont really see any credentials for being Leeds captain. That said there isnt many others that i see it in either.

We will see who gets the job. Be interesting to see. Gale or Ward for me.

Has to be Ward, and Gale as vice captain.

I think Ward he does come across as a level headed young man

I’d agree if he could finally get over his injury problems. I think Agar will go down the route of a ‘leadership’ group again of which Ward and Gale will be two, Cuthbo probably a 3rd

Pointless until he's played at least 75% of a season.

In other circumstances id say ward but theres got to be the concern that he just needs to focus on his own game and wellbeing.

I'd agree with this - he simply hasn't been physically available on a consisent enough basis to be on field captain.

This bit will get me hammered (and probably rightly so), but I also don't think someone with such mental health struggles would be the best fit as Captain in an RL environment, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the added responsibility and expectation could just add to his pressures (though I accept only he would know this) - but he has perviously spoke about the weight of expectation and struggling with being out injured - if he's also captain and gets another long term injury, the added pressure certainly won't help.
I also know that whilst society as a whole (and particularly RL circles) have come a long way with regards to the whole stigma around mental health, I still think there are people who we see it as a weakness, even from within his own team - and I just don't think that sets the right tone. Not a view I agree with, or condone, but the harsh reality is that many people want a leader who's seen to be 'made of tougher stuff' mentally.

As someone whos personally battled mental health issues for over 20 years id say that that battle makes you more tough if anything. Im sure his teammates have the utmost respect for how hes dealt with it and it shows strength of character to be open about it. My only issue would be for the player himself but i'd think that of any other player who'd had his injury problems, mental health problems included or otherwise.

Agree.

He clearly has the right attitude toward the game but also it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a great leader. I don’t know either way in that regard.

I’d be very tempted to do the reverse of Gotcha’s suggestion and put Gale as captain with Ward as vice-captain.

Then in 3 years time, if Ward has been successful in his own game he could step up.

ATEOTD we don't know the players and how they are perceived by the Coaching Staff or other team mates, apparently Ferres was very good with the other players (one ex Hidds player may say differently) and was very good with the younger players, probably the reason he was made stand in captain a few times.

Ward seems the obvious choice to me but he may not be the right choice at all.

I'm not a good judge anyway as I can remember being against Sinfield being captain at such a young age!!

This should be how it is regardless of who is actually wearing the armband. We need a group of players who have the attributes of a captain.

Something that has been missing in the last couple of years.

are his issues when injured? would be my choice for captain if any possibility of remaining fit... hasn't there been times where there's a club captain and a team captain