Melbourne Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell will carry something more than his side's captaincy onto the field against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Brisbane native brings with him a legacy that runs back two generations in Queensland rugby.
Angus Cottrell will bring a two-generation Queensland rugby legacy to Saturday's match. Credit:AAP
Angus' grandfather, Neville Cottrell snr, was the first hooker to captain the Wallabies and was a long-time Queensland state player during 1947-1955, while his father, Neville Cottrell jnr, was a half-back for Queensland in 1976 and 1979.
The youngest Cottrell has forged his own career with Western Force, and more recently with the Rebels where he was promoted to the captaincy for last week's loss to the Sharks in Durban. He will continue in the role this week.
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Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty is expected to miss several more weeks with a toe injury, so Cottrell could be leading out the team for some time yet.
"For me, growing up as a kid, it was pretty special knowing my grandfather and my dad played at that level," Cottrell said.
"Dad will be there on Saturday and wearing navy blue instead of red. Unfortunately my grandfather passed a few years ago [in 2014].
"Dad was a pretty short scrum-half and he tried to make me one but I grew out of that pretty quickly."
Melbourne's players have long had strong ties with Queensland and this season is no different, with the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper also hailing from the state.
The Rebels know a win over the in-form Reds will be pivotal to their finals hopes after the home side beat the ACT Brumbies in sweltering heat last round. The foRead More – Source
Melbourne Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell will carry something more than his side's captaincy onto the field against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The Brisbane native brings with him a legacy that runs back two generations in Queensland rugby.
Angus Cottrell will bring a two-generation Queensland rugby legacy to Saturday's match. Credit:AAP
Angus' grandfather, Neville Cottrell snr, was the first hooker to captain the Wallabies and was a long-time Queensland state player during 1947-1955, while his father, Neville Cottrell jnr, was a half-back for Queensland in 1976 and 1979.
The youngest Cottrell has forged his own career with Western Force, and more recently with the Rebels where he was promoted to the captaincy for last week's loss to the Sharks in Durban. He will continue in the role this week.
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Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty is expected to miss several more weeks with a toe injury, so Cottrell could be leading out the team for some time yet.
"For me, growing up as a kid, it was pretty special knowing my grandfather and my dad played at that level," Cottrell said.
"Dad will be there on Saturday and wearing navy blue instead of red. Unfortunately my grandfather passed a few years ago [in 2014].
"Dad was a pretty short scrum-half and he tried to make me one but I grew out of that pretty quickly."
Melbourne's players have long had strong ties with Queensland and this season is no different, with the likes of Will Genia and Quade Cooper also hailing from the state.
The Rebels know a win over the in-form Reds will be pivotal to their finals hopes after the home side beat the ACT Brumbies in sweltering heat last round. The foRead More – Source
