Who will fill Read's boots?
Kieran Read is moving offshore and the All Blacks are on the hunt for a new skipper. Who will fill his boots and get to call heads or tails? Rugby writer Steve Hepburn has a quick look at the contenders.
Sam Whitelock
Position: Lock.
Test caps: 108.
Positives: Done it before, top player in his position, calm and composed, vastly experienced, comes from Canterbury.
Negatives: Maybe getting a bit long in the tooth, seeking some Japanese yen, may not have enough gas left in the tank, comes from Canterbury.
Chances: Very hot.
Brodie Retallick
Position: Lock.
Caps: 75.
Positives: On his game is the best in the world, a real followme leader, well respected.
Negatives: Picks up a few injuries, may become burdened by the leadership, still young in years.
Chances: Lukewarm.
Beauden Barrett
Position: First fiveeighth.
Caps: 73.
Positives: Is the quarterback of the team, a class act when on form, natural fit around people, done it before.
Negatives: Has plenty on his plate, how often is a first fiveeighth a captain in a team, may be headed offshore, does not feel like captaincy material.
Chances: Very, very tepid.
Dane Coles
Position: Hooker.
Caps: 60.
Positives: A rampaging player, well liked, matured as a player, has captaincy experience.
Negatives: Injury list longer than a Lime scooter weekend, not sure of his place in starting side, not getting any younger.
Chances: Getting colder by the day.
Sam Cane
Position: Flanker.
Caps: 60.
Positives: Done it before, a top player, in the ideal position to captain the side.
Negatives: Coming back from a very serious injury, other things on his mind, may be usurped in his position.
Chances: Slightly above stone cold.
TJ Perenara
Position: Halfback.
Caps: 55.
Positives: Works hard, leads well round the field, getting better as a player, well respected, good professional.
Negatives: Not sure of a start, too much of an organiser and busybody, finger would get tired from even more pointing he will do in a game.
Chances: Ice.
Aaron Smith
Position: Halfback.
Caps: 82.
Positives: Top player, barks well at his forwards, wiser in years.
Negatives: Never been a captain anywhere, best left to his own devices, chequered history.
Chances: Even Captain Oates
would have been warmer.
Rieko Ioane
Position: Wing.
Positives: Captained NZ Schools, certain to start every game, appeals to the younger folk.
Negatives: Remember Stu Wilson from 1983, too young, still plenty of other stuff to do.
Chances: The temperature on Uranus last night.
Noone
Position: In the stand, on the field.
Caps: None.
Positives: It’s all about the leadership group these days, trainers and medics are on the field every minute of the match, coaches can make calls from the stand.
Negatives: Miss out on those aftermatch interviews . . . um, yes.
Chances: No chance but in modern reality is the biggest chance.