New skipper James Horwill has revealed the form surge which has helped him grab the Wallabies captaincy is a result of rebuilding his game through the expanded Super Rugby season.

While many footballers prefer to be fresh to produce their best, Horwill is loving the relentless combat of regular week-to-week rugby after overcoming an injury-ruined 2010.

The 27-Test lock ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in February last year and underwent a knee reconstruction which sidelined him for 11 months.

Since returning to lead the Queensland Reds to the Super Rugby championship, Horwill has been in career-best form for the Wallabies.

He was a standout in both the 30-14 loss to New Zealand in Auckland and the 14-9 win over South Africa this month.

Horwill remains unsure whether his form was a factor in Robbie Deans last week choosing him as the man to replace Rocky Elsom as a surprise Test skipper.

But the towering 200cm second-rower, set to captain Australia for the first time in Saturday night's Tri-Nations decider, said he thrived with more football.

"I enjoy playing rugby week-in and week-out and last year that didn't happen for me," he said.

"At the start of this year it didn't happen for me either (with an ankle problem) but to get week-in and week-out performances is something I enjoy and I think it just helps me with my game prep.

"The last two weeks I've been really happy with the way I've performed and, moving forward, I still think there's improvement left in my game."

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