Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1914199/kieran-read-named-new-all-blacks-captain-post-ritchie-mccaw-era-begins
Sport/ Rugby

Kieran Read named new All Blacks captain as post-Ritchie McCaw era begins

New Zealand number eight Kieran Read (centre left) was on Friday named as the next All Blacks captain, replacing Richie McCaw (centre right) who retired in 2015 after leading the team to a second successive Rugby World Cup victory. Photo: AFP

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed the first of his major rebuilding decisions following back-to-back World Cup victories with the naming of Kieran Read as the next national captain on Friday, replacing the retired Richie McCaw.

The 35-year-old McCaw, named as the 2015 New Zealander of the year earlier this week, retired at the end of last year after leading the All Blacks to a second successive Rugby World Cup triumph.

He was one of six stalwarts of the team, who had cemented them as the most dominant in world rugby in the past decade, to retire after the tournament hosted by England.

“Reado’s had experience already as captain nine times,” Hansen told Radio Sport on Friday. “Whilst it will be a new experience to be there full-time, at least he's had a taste of it.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has put his faith in Kieran Read to fill former captain Richie McCaw's shoes. Photo: Reuters
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has put his faith in Kieran Read to fill former captain Richie McCaw's shoes. Photo: Reuters
Hansen, who has said he was more than likely to step down after next year’s British & Irish Lions tour, has been rebuilding the side since he took over in 2012 and now has a core of players boasting more than 30 international caps.

The 30-year-old Read’s anointment to the second-highest profile job in New Zealand, behind that of the rugby-mad country’s Prime Minister, had been on the cards for at least three years.

He first led the team on their end-of-year northern hemisphere tour in 2012 when they beat Italy 42-10.

The rangy number eight then stepped into the role three times against France in 2013 when McCaw was on a six-month sabbatical and again three times later that year when the regular skipper was out injured.

Read also led the team once at last year’s World Cup, against Tonga in Newcastle.

Hansen, who was named New Zealand’s coach of the year at the country’s premier sporting awards on Thursday, added that McCaw’s understudy since 2012, Sam Cane, would likely fill his place as openside flanker.

Cane, 24, has already notched up 31 test appearances including one as captain – against Namibia at last year’s World Cup.

“Sam Cane’s had a taste of test footy and he’s raring to go,” said Hansen. “So if we’re going in with all of those things brand new then it would be a lot different but I’ve got a lot of confidence in the people that are going to step up.”

Despite Hansen’s early support, Read and Cane have young contenders pursuing them with the Auckland Blues’ Akira Ioane and Wellington Hurricanes’ Ardie Savea likely to join them in the All Blacks squad after their Rio Olympics sevens commitments.

Savea, the younger brother of All Blacks winger Julian, already has a taste of life with the team having gone on their end-of-year tour in 2013 as a non-playing member.