Moses Mbye has revealed he sought the approval of club legends Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall before accepting the offer to be Wests Tigers captain.
Despite Mbye being just nine games into his Tigers' career, new coach Michael Maguire announced his surprise selection at the club's season launch on Friday.
He forms part of a six-man leadership group that includes Luke Brooks, Chris Lawrence, Russell Packer, Marshall and Farah.
Maguire, who himself only joined the club in October, admitted to considering whether to retain the five-man leadership group of last season.
"I've actually done that at other clubs and it's been successful," Maguire said.
However he was immediately impressed by Mbye during a phone conversation late last year, and again watching him relate with teammates over the summer.
"He's been able to get around to every single player, whether it's the most senior player to the youngest player, to the administration.
"That's the type of player and character and person I want in the organisation."
Mbye, 25, arrived at the club midway through last year following a controversial release from Canterbury due to salary cap pressures.
As one of just two Tigers, along with Brooks, to own a contract beyond the 2021 season, Mbye appears set to be the club's long-term skipper.
But that didn't stop him from approaching both Marshall and Farah about following in their footsteps as a leader.
"I wanted to know their thoughts. I thought it was important to have everyone onside, on board and backing me," Mbye said.
"I spoke to (Benji) for about an hour. I phoned around to a couple of the senior players and the boys pretty much made me make the decision on the spot.
"They're the sort of people that do create the culture, people like Benji and Robbie.
"Benji means so much not only to this team, but to this community, club and the game. If you have blokes like that in your corner, it instils confidence in yourself."
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