No Read, no problem
Brodie Retallick, the 2.04m monster nick-named Guzzler, isn’t too revved up by the idea of being a captain.
Given his pedigree and experience, All Blacks lock Retallick, who has amassed 68 test caps since 2012, could be considered a decent candidate to be skipper.
There’s only one problem: he isn’t hot on the idea, indicating the off-field duties would do his head in.
‘‘Not really, to be fair,’’ he said. ‘‘I just enjoy playing rugby. I don’t mind being a leader, but there’s a lot of admin comes with being captain and I will leave that to them.’’
The question, lobbed towards Retallick during the All Blacks’ training camp in Christchurch, had merit. Given the 26 year old is one of those blood-and-guts types who demands plenty of himself, he would be entitled to ask team-mates do the same if he feels they are leaning on their shovels so to speak.
With regular captain Kieran Read unavailable while he recovers from surgery on his spine, Sam Whitelock will lead the All Blacks against France in the first test in Auckland on June 9.
Yet there could be complications. Whitelock has been forced to miss the Crusaders’ recent matches against the Hurricanes and Blues because of concussion, and if there is any hint of the symptoms returning Plan B might need to be unzipped.
Given openside flanker Sam Cane and Ben Smith have been listed as joint vice-captains, one or both, would be promoted. Beauden Barrett also led the All Blacks when they met the Barbarians in London last November, so there are multiple options available before anyone starts suggesting Retallick should have a shot.
In any case, he reiterated he is happy with his current job.
‘‘I have been in the leadership group for a few years, and everyone here – their job is to play their role within the team to the best of their ability,’’ Retallick noted.
‘‘There’s a great group of leaders to fill the void, and obviously Kieran has still been around in the last couple of camps and he will be there throughout the June series, I take it, so there is no real void to be filled to be fair.’’
Exactly when Read will return is uncertain. The All Blacks captain has indicated that he could return in July, although the deadline will be shifted back if his recovery is delayed.
Read hasn’t been absent, attending the All Blacks camps and ‘‘foundation days’’, allowing him to provide any guidance, if required, to Whitelock.
Chiefs team-mate Damian McKenzie is at the other end of the spectrum.
McKenzie, who has played the majority of the Super Rugby season at first five-eighth this year after previously operating at fullback under former coach Dave Rennie, is fighting for a place in the match-day 23.
There is potential for McKenzie, as Barrett did earlier in his career, to be added as a second playmaker from the substitutes bench in the second half of tests. Being able to cover first-five, fullback and wing could be decisive in terms of McKenzie – with 12 caps – being preferred ahead of Richie Mo’unga on the bench.
‘‘Obviously I have learned a lot, it is a lot more different role than to 15,’’ McKenzie said in reference to shifting to first-five.
‘‘You are more a leader, and get the team around the park. It has been a bit of a change and I am really enjoying it.’’ New Zealand Formula One driver Brendon Hartley suffered more frustration as he crashed out of the Monaco Grand Prix as Australian Daniel Ricciardo swept to victory.
Hartley was giving the top 10 a nudge late in the race yesterday when he was hit by the Sauber of Charles Leclerc and forced to withdraw.
Hartley had made a solid start but collected some front wing damage and had to pit early on lap 14 and suffered a five-second time penalty for speeding in the lane.
He recovered to move up to 11th before Leclerc took him out. Stewards ruled it a brake failure and not the fault of either driver.
‘‘I made a small mistake which allowed Charles to get a little bit closer and he said he had a brake failure so he apologised for that,’’ Hartley said.
‘‘I didn’t see him coming at all, he came from a long way back, locked his front brake and took me out of the race.’’
Red Bull’s Ricciardo steadied his nerve when victory threatened to escape him again as he overcame a significant midrace power loss to win the race.
Sebastian Vettel, who finished second, is now three points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who was third.