It’s not being called a succession plan but flanker Scott Fuglistaller has joined Scott Higginbotham as Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby co-captain.

Wallaby Higginbotham will leave the Rebels following the Rugby World Cup to play in Japan, with Fuglistaller seemingly anointed as his successor. The Rebels say it’s more about the now than the future.

Cool and calm Kiwi Fuglistaller is the yin to the yang of Higginbotham’s fiery passion.

“It’s nothing to do with Higgers leaving,” the 27-year-old Fuglistaller said.

“It was a process done between the players and the coaching staff and what’s come out of it is they want us both to do the job and take the pressure off each other.”

While a number of AFL clubs use the model, it hasn’t been popular in rugby circles in Australia, although it has been utilised with success by the Chiefs.

“The Chiefs, in both their campaigns they won, had co-captains in Liam Messam and Craig Clarke. The blueprint’s there from league to AFL and now into rugby.”

The pair will have their first tandem outing next Friday in Melbourne’s round-one clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch. They won their last trial over the Highlanders on Thursday night.

“We still haven’t won outside of Australia so I think our trial against the Highlanders was really good for us; getting to play against a New Zealand team,” Fuglistaller said. “They will be a good measuring stick for where we’re at.”

Fuglistaller qualifies to play for Australia in September but says representative honours aren’t on his mind just yet.

“It’s not really in my mindset … because at the moment at the Rebels, we have some unbelievable talent in my position,” he said.

“Sean McMahon is playing six but will be a great seven in the future.

“Colby Fainga’a was player’s player of the year and Jordy Reid, he’s coming along in leaps and bounds so my focus is on the present.”