Gareth Delve has won the respect of many in Melbourne since joing the Rebels from Gloucester. © Getty Images

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Gareth Delve will captain the Rebels during the 2013 Super Rugby season.

The Welsh backrower deputised as captain in the absence of Stirling Mortlock during 2012, and he was always likely to win the role once the Wallabies icon retired.

Delve, 30, joined the Rebels in 2011, from English side Gloucester, since when he has played 31 Super Rugby matches for the Melbourne team.

"It's an incredible honour and one I didn't expect when I turned up three years ago as a foreign player," Delve said.

"The club's been fantastic in terms of giving me that opportunity, letting me have a leadership role and be a part of building a great culture at this club. It's going to be a great year for rugby union in Victoria, and I'm very proud to be a part of that."

Damien Hill, the Rebels coach, said Delve had won the respect of everyone at the club in his two years with them.

"It is a great day for the club to announce the appointment of Gareth as the second captain in this club's history," Hill said.

"Gareth leads by example on the field, and is a player many people at our club, not just the players, look up to. Not only is he respected among his Rebels peers, he is respected among the Victorian rugby community."