The orders for Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham from new Melbourne coach Tony McGahan are simple: more of the same please.

The Wallabies backrower was officially handed the Super Rugby captaincy role at Rebels headquarters on Monday after acting in the position for much of the 2013 season.

Higginbotham’s elevation then resulted in some career-best form and the 27-year-old was considered a certainty to extend his 23-Test career against the British and Irish Lions before season-ending surgery on his shoulder and hip.

McGahan said he had been impressed by how Higginbotham handled himself on and off the field.

“Some guys struggle with the captaincy but Scott really thrived in the environment of being captain,” McGahan said.

“His ability to inspire his teammates on the field, and to communicate clearly and effectively with match officials, meant that it was always going to be hard for any of his teammates to usurp him into the captaincy role.”

Higginbotham, in his first season with Melbourne, maintained his reputation as an enforcer but also took his running game to a new level.

He said he actually felt less pressure taking on the extra responsibility as skipper and was surprised by how much he enjoyed it.

“It brings a new element to the game, you’re not just running around worrying about what you’re doing,” he said.

“It takes a lot of pressure off you because you’re worrying about everything else that’s happening on the field and not just your particular role, and that works for me.”

Higginbotham has been back into full contact training for two weeks – his first full pre-season in three years – and he said he expected big things from the Rebels, who have shed troubled stars Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor.

Their first trial is against NSW in Albury on February 1 and a vice-captain won’t be named until closer to their opening match against the Cheetahs at AAMI Park on February 28.