Already I note the media knives are out and the seeds of doubt are being cast on the qualities and leadership of Kieran Read, an All Black, and now, captain. To those I note, get off his back!
Having graduated from a well-known Regular Officer Commissioning Training establishment many years ago, I recall having drummed into my head the traits of leadership. Leadership is defined as being; “The art of influencing and directing people, to assigned goals in such a way, as to obtain their confidence, respect, and loyal cooperation.”
The All Blacks now have a new leader. Kieran Read has lived in the shadow of the retired Richie McCaw for several seasons, and as the new captain the focus on Read by the public, media throughout the world, players, coaches and other teams in his early stages as skipper will be phenomenal. Considerable fact and fiction will be written about him, especially in these early stages of his captaincy.
Read has nothing to prove. He is captain and leader of the All Blacks because he fulfils the leadership traits far better than any other player in his team. He not only possesses scarcely believable skill levels like McCaw, but leads by example and gives inspiration to those around him.
There will be those who will endeavour to compare him with McCaw, but as every military commander knows, every battle is fought differently because the circumstances are always different with every battle.
Read will not need to grow into the leadership role; he is already a leader with the same traits and capabilities as McCaw. The difference now is that he will steer the ship. My only concern with Read is longevity. He has suffered in the past with concussion and, knowing the man well, he will not shirk the responsibility of being the dynamic player that he is and has proven to be. My fear is that with the extra responsibility of being captain, Mr Concussion will grab him and force retirement upon Read earlier than expected.
Should anyone dare to believe the changing of the leadership guard in the All Blacks will affect their performance, you are sadly mistaken. Read will do a wonderful job and be another in the great line of great All Black captains. In the lead-up to his captaincy debut I wish him well, as do many who respect such a quality player and great leader.
Rick Page
Guest
Yes, Leon MacDonald really struggled with Concussion and it ended his career early. I wonder how much affect it had on Keiran's loss of form last year, looks like he's prone and i think it could end his career early. He's a guy who would put family first I reckon. Watching the very entertaining Crowd goes wild on the WC, I noted Ritchie saying he looked at faces when the AB's were under intense pressure from the BOKs and and the calm on Reid's face reassured him! I think a small thing like that's significant about who Reid might be as Captain, he doesn't look so calm when interviewed so you might think differently! He also seems to have a better rapport with the players, than the more private and a little removed Ritchie But it's hard to remember an AB captain not being criticised heavily at some time. I remember Sean Fitzpatrick being told he should not only stand down as captain but be dropped and Ritchie copping it hard after 2007 WC. Ritchie learned and became the captain he became but I just hope Reid doesn't have to go thru a bad loss/s as part of that learning process, though that hurt does seem to be the greater learning/ growth experience With all the lost experience from last year, I think the AB's will have lost at least some of the outrageous self belief in never being beaten and maybe down to the wire games go more like 50/50 now. I think that Gilbert Enoka has been a big part of that self belief and clear headedness and am glad he's still there, plus keep it simple Hansen, who also seems to know his players really well as people, so its also possible we see circa 3 losses in the next 4 years and a threepeat at the end of it. I'll take that!
Digby
Roar Guru
Good piece thank you Michael. Hopefully he does do well, am more than sure he is capable.
wardad
Guest
Well they might want that 9th Bearded Infantry look ala' the Simpsons ...
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Those guys will get their turn in time if they be good enough Mace. Meantime, "GO READIE, blood, guts and thunder." (Thank G-d I'm not a Welshman !
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Well I guess it was a South Islander last time eh taylor :)
Michael Warren
Roar Guru
Me too Clarkey! Call me old fashioned (ah.. ex military) I would be asking them to stand closer to the razor in the mornings and have the beards off too ! Still some rope needed I guess...!
ClarkeG
Guest
I don't really get the coloured boots thingee --- ohh look at my boots - aren't they flash. If I was an All Black I would want to wear black boots or at the very least the same colour boots as every other team member.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Good to see a South Aucklander back in charge again...go READ!?
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He has already stamped his own mark by allowing the forwards to wear whatever boots they want. Personally i don't like that idea and think every All Black should be wearing black boots. I hate seeing those neon orange and green boots on the feet of our All Blacks it stands out like dogs balls.
Mace 22
Guest
I think if read was back to his best then I wouldn't be so anxious about his captaincy. Being spoilt with a captain that said to his troops when the going got tough " not a problem boys just follow me ", it would be hard for anyone to follow him. I can this trait in cane, retallick or kaino, not so sure of read, but hansen knows what read is made of so I'll bow to his superior skill and knowledge.