AUSSIE ace Chris Levy will captain York City Knights in the forthcoming 2005 season.

The decision was made by the Knights coaching staff following the three pre-season friendlies. Levy will thus become the club's third captain, taking over from former Great Britain international Lee Jackson, who had followed York RL legend Richie Hayes in taking the armband.

Knights boss Mick Cook reckoned the 27-year-old scrum-half was an ideal candidate.

"Chris Levy has got leadership skills and experience, and he's played at a decent level in Australia," explained Cook.

"He's got a calmness about him and he's a smart bloke - he's a maths teacher so he's got a bit of intelligence. He knows the game and how I want to play the game. We just felt he's the man to take the club forward."

It is thought 35-year-old Jackson is likely to have less game-time than Levy this season due to the policy of switching hookers and with the emergence of Jim Elston as a possible starting number nine.

Cook added: "We just thought he (Levy) had all the attributes. It was a staff choice, he was happy to do it so he's got the job."

Levy will lead the team out for the first time as club skipper in Sunday's Northern Rail Cup group section opener away to Castleford Tigers at The Jungle (kick off 3.30pm).

Updated: 11:26 Wednesday, February 09, 2005