Rocky Elsom says he’s ready to shoulder the responsibility of captaincy as the NSW Waratahs carry high expectations into the Super Rugby season.

The 28-year-old former Wallabies skipper was on Tuesday confirmed as the Waratahs skipper to replace the retired Phil Waugh, chosen ahead of the likes of Berrick Barnes and Dan Vickerman by new head coach Michael Foley.

Elsom first led the Waratahs back in 2007 and will take on the role full-time as he makes his return to the Sydney-based team after two seasons at the Brumbies.

He stressed his belief that the captaincy was more about fulfilling an important role than enjoying an honour.

“More than anything, it is a job,” Elsom said.

“It’s a responsibility. If I wasn’t doing it then someone else would step up and do it, so I think you need to recognise it as a responsibility to the rest of the guys.

“You’re not wearing it as a sash, you have a job to do when you have something like this and I’m really happy to be doing it, but it’s important that you make a clear distinction.”

Elsom acknowledged much was expected of the Tahs, who are equal favourites with defending champions the Queensland Reds to top the Australian conference, but believed they could build on a 2011 campaign which ended at the hands of the Auckland Blues in the finals.

“There’s high expectations and that’s fine,” he said.

“I do think last year they did especially well.

“If you look at the way they finished the season and the team they took over to Auckland, they gave that game a reasonable shake. I wouldn’t be too down on how they went.”

Elsom captained the Wallabies for three years before coach Robbie Deans replaced him with Queensland Reds leader James Horwill shortly before last year’s World Cup.

The flanker is one of the most respected competitors in rugby and has played 71 Tests since his Wallabies debut in 2005.