A desire to ease Kieran Read’s workload has thrust Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock into the captaincy role for their next Super Rugby campaign.
Coach Scott Robertson says All Blacks skipper Read needs to “enjoy” playing and that can be achieved by lightening the leadership load in 2017.
Experienced All Blacks lock Whitelock, 28, was captain during the opening weeks this year while Read was rested.
He is equipped to fill the role full-time in a move which Robertson believes will provide some zest for 31-year-old Read, who will lead New Zealand in the mid-year Test series against the British and Irish Lions.
“Kieran has been an excellent captain, he is a courageous leader who the players admire and love,” Robertson said.
“But this will allow Kieran to focus on just playing and enjoying himself in the Crusaders environment, rather than juggling the responsibility of being both All Blacks and Crusaders captain.
“It will also allow Sam to really take ownership of this position and influence the team in his own way.”
Whitelock, a 83-Test veteran, described his new role as a privilege.
“It is a big responsibility to continue the excellent leadership that this team has always had, but I am fortunate that there is a lot of experience and leadership already in this group.”
cuw
Guest
http://www.planetrugby.com/news/surgery-setback-for-read/ " All Blacks captain Kieran Read is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a wrist injury."
Old Bugger
Guest
TM Yep - the Saders are merely treading the same pathway they established with RM. There's a few seasons during his career, when he wasn't leading the Saders and that included, when he returned from his duties as AB leader and from injuries he suffered, with the ABs. It gave Reado a leg-up with his leadership aspirations, didn't it....and we national supporters, brought into it?? Although I suspect, the ABs next succession plan, has already been initiated even when, RM was leading.
cuw
Guest
next NZ captain is SAM CANE - if he remains fit to play :)
chuck
Guest
wee tap on the shoulder , we have the lions blowing fire,captain has to be at his best to stop the flame come game time.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
New Zealand are, once again, minting the next All Black captain several years ahead of when he'll be required and giving him the current captain as a mentor. Meanwhile in Australia our current captain is of questionable ability (in that area), about to retire and there is no clear successor in sight. Fundamentally, this is the difference between Australian and New Zealand rugby - succession planning.
taylorman
Guest
Not only does it free up Read but its pointless to have the AB captain also captain his Super side. In the same way a player requires experience at Super level to progress the AB level so does Super rugby offer valuable captaincy experience that could be valuable at the AB level later on. Pl us being in the side but not as captain gives Read the 'player only' position he doesnt get at the AB level. Different perspective and can learn himself about how others relate to their captain as a player.