Madge, Sutton made joint captaincy decision

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The scary thing is Greg Inglis says captaining South Sydney will help take his game to a whole new level in 2015.

Already rated a rugby league Immortal in waiting, Inglis revealed on Tuesday night how he returned from his Christmas break recently and was told by his coach Michael Maguire that he was about to be handed one of the greatest honours of his illustrious career.

Inglis had missed the start of the pre-season due to his Four Nations commitments playing for Australia and during that period Maguire had come to the conclusion with his grand final winning skipper John Sutton that it was time for a leadership change.

INGLIS TAKES OVER SOUTHS CAPTAINCY

Greg Inglis salutes the crowd. Source: News Corp Australia

With Sutton shifting into the forwards full-time this year, Maguire said they both decided it would be best if GI took over.

So Inglis was handed the top job, with a condition.

"I was allowed to tell the family but I told them to keep it quiet," Inglis laughed.

That was until Tuesday when Maguire unloaded his captaincy bombshell that sent shock waves through the rugby league community given Sutton's success last year when leading the club to a drought breaking premiership triumph.

Inglis admitted not saying anything wasn't easy given what this job means to him.

You think South Sydney and you don't just think about their 21 premierships wins but also the club's proud indigenous history. Rugby League historian David Middleton said Inglis becomes only the second full-time indigenous skipper for Rabbitohs following Darrell Trindall who captained the club for all 17 of his games in 1997.

Greg Inglis during the lap of honour in 2014 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Corp Australia

Which is why Inglis ranks this latest honour right up there with the 33 games he's played for Australia, and the 24 Origins for Queensland that includes his part in eight straight series victories.

"When I stepped in last year for Johnny (as captain when Sutton was out injured) it was a huge honour and now to be captain of such a great club, I am just over the moon," he said.

"It definitely will be up there with the best things that has ever happened to me in rugby league, there is no doubt about it.

"It will be one of the things I look back on after I retire, where I can say I captained South Sydney."

Maguire said the decision to replace Sutton was not made without tremendous consideration.

Greg Inglis announced as the new South Sydney captain. Source: News Corp Australia

Maguire admitted they were in constant talks prior to Christmas, working on a plan to move the club forward.

"John is still very much a part of our leadership,' Maguire said.

"We just felt that it was a good time to hand it over with his move (to the back row).

"John had achieved some great things in his time as a captain but he wants to focus on his football. Still as a leader, but with more emphasis around his footy."

And the coach was adamant Sutton was not offended by the change.

"I was very open with John. It wasn't my decision, it was a dual decision," Maguire explained.

"And John is very much about the team.

South Sydney's Greg Inglis makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

"From Greg's point of view, he has been developing as a person and as a leader and I think everyone sees his stature in the game.

"John and myself thought it was a great opportunity just to freshen us up moving forward."

Asked if he believed captaining the team could potentially make him even more motivated, and a better player, Inglis said: "I'm not going to change anything with the way I play. But I think personally I am ready for this.

"It takes a while to find your feet in this game but given my home life is all sorted and going well, I feel really good about this. I'm looking forward to it and the challenges ahead of us this year."

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