On this day in 2005, Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe was publicly announced as the Western Force’s foundation captain for the 2006 Super 14 season.
"This is a great moment for me. I will do everything in my power to honour the position," Sharpe said in a statement put out on December 12 2005.
Sharpe’s appointment wasn’t a major surprise. He was the Wallabies vice-captain at the time, he’d also skippered the Reds in 2005 and had 41 international caps to his name at that point.
He actually got the gig during a pre-season team camp on Rottnest Island, with the decision announced internally.
Inaugural Force head coach John Mitchell said: "Nathan is tough and uncompromising and has the respect and loyalty of all his team-mates. He's a decision maker both on and off the field but is humble and ready to listen."
Hindsight shows the decision was sound. Sharpe would serve the Force for seven seasons, making 92 Super Rugby appearances for the Club.
Known as a team-first and approachable player by his teammates, Sharpe played an integral role in forming the family-first Western Force culture that lives on today.
Sharpe enjoyed a phenomenal 12-year Wallabies career, which included 166 Test caps, three World Cup campaigns (2003, 2007 and 2011), two John Eales Medals (best Australian rugby union player - 2007 and 2012) and 10 Tests as captain.
Sharpe's unquestionable impact has seen him immortalised with the club's best and fairest award for the men's team named in his honour - the Nathan Sharpe Medal.
As part of the 20th season celebrations, we’ll bring more stories like this from the Force’s history across the next 12 months.
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