Whitelock: Proven in the role

SHe has the respect of everyone around him whether he is wearing red and black or solid black.

In a revamped Chiefs team Cane has adapted to working with a new coach and led from the front in tremendous fashion.

AM Whitelock is technically the incumbent All Blacks captain, being in charge of their final test in 2017, a 33-18 dismantling of Wales in Cardiff last November.

There is no need to change that even though it is the only time he has had the honour of leading the national team.

Whitelock has all the ingredients required for test captaincy in a team where standards are virtually unrivalled in any sport.

Firstly, he selects himself as a world class lock with 96 test caps to his name and at the age of 29 there’s a year or two left in this second-row machine.

Whitelock is a winner and also a proven leader now, captaining the Crusaders to their Super Rugby title last season, and being in charge again this year.

The quietly-spoken Whitelock who leads by example as much as words, has looked increasingly comfortable in the role.

He has the respect of everyone around him whether he is wearing red and black or solid black. Whitelock has shown no signs of the burdens of leadership affecting his own performance where he is so solid at set-piece and an absolute workhorse around the paddock where his defensive efforts can match those of his loose forwards.

He finished 2017 by being named the New Zealand player of the year at the annual awards and his form hasn’t dipped in 2018.

Coach Steve Hansen isn’t short of worthy options to replace his preferred skipper Kieran Read.

Ben Smith has been the official vice-captain when available and certainly shown the necessary qualities whether for New Zealand or the Highlanders. But at 31 is he a long-term captaincy candidate?

Same Cane has experience in the job. The Chiefs leader operates in a position of high attrition with the openside flanker having had concussion issues and other injury problems plague him.

Some critics, but certainly not coach Hansen, continue to question whether he is the best No 7 in a jersey where New Zealand has a history of outstanding service and performance.

Beauden Barrett got a taste for the All Blacks captaincy when he got the nod for the match against the British Barbarians. But he has a lot on his plate with the playmaker’s role and is best left to handling the instant tactical decision-making.

In a team where ownership is largely placed in the hands of the players and the leadership group is extensive, any captaincy transition will be largely seamless.

But Whitelock, who operates and thrives in the guts of the action, has all the credentials for the coveted job.