READ TO MOVE ON –
SEARCH FOR SUCCESSOR BEGINS
Kieran Read said in November last year that he would be most likely moving on after the World Cup. In March this year he confirmed that when he announced he would be joining Toyota Verblitz. Read said he thought about retiring but didn’t feel he was completely finished as a player and that a year in Japan would be perfect for him and his family.
It will not only bring to an end a spectacularly good test career, but it will also mean the All Blacks will be looking for a new captain in 2020.
And it is a relatively open race to take over. Sam Whitelock, who stood in for Read against Wales in 2017 when the skipper damaged his back, will be the favourite.
Whitelock also captained the All Blacks in June last year for three tests against
France when Read was still recovering and against the Pumas.
Sam Cane is the only other current All Black who has captained the team in a test when he was in charge against Namibia at the last World Cup.
Cane was seen as the natural successor to Read – until Whitelock emerged so strongly in 2017 by leading the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title.
Beauden Barrett, as one of the most experienced and respected players in the team, will be a candidate, but has no significant body of experience to call upon.
The wild card is Dane Coles, who has been a successful captain with the Hurricanes and brings the hard-edged, non-negotiable attitude that makes the All Blacks the team they are.