What current successful captains are in the middle and always in the refs ear other than Smith.
Dont confuse me not thinking he is captain material with me not thinking he is a fantastic player ...
The answer to your question is not many ... Hence they are not successful captains ...
The closest ones would be Pearce, DCE, Friend, Reynolds
To be a successful captain these days is not about how you play, it is all about your interactions with the refs and ability to turn 50-50s your way.
Not many at the club that inspire that level of confidence in me ... Clune actually could be one that could develop that way however i doubt his career is that long.