This is the end of an era for New Zealand rugby, there is no doubting it.
With the departure of world-class players such as Kieran Read, arguably the best Number 8 in the world, reliable centre Ryan Crotty, dynamic offloader Sonny Bill Williams and solid forward Matt Todd, the All Blacks are now a fairly young team.
They are undeniably in a “rebuilding phase”. Although some of the “old guard” still remain, the All Blacks may need to look in a somewhat unexpected player to provide their next captain.
The frontrunners for the position are Sam Whitelock and Sam Cane. Sam Whitelock is a popular choice, and it’s clear to see why. His credentials speak for themselves. He is a much loved and respected member of the Crusaders in Super Rugby, and has shown natural leadership, captaining the team in 2017.
The youngest player to reach 100 Test caps, and the fastest to make 100 international appearances, he has also been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year, and has been an integral part of a dual World Cup winning All Blacks team.
But age is against Sam Whitelock. For all his success and obvious talent, Whitelock is 31. Should he become captain now, the team will only be able to invest three to five years in him. For the sake of longevity, I would argue that this is not the route they should go down.
Sam Cane is the other most likely candidate. He is also captain of his Super Rugby franchise, the Chiefs. At the age of 27, he is a more viable option for a long-term captain. But there is one are of his game that is not in his favour.
Poor discipline has cost the All Blacks in the past. No one can deny his work rate or his passion and skill, but Sam Cane is the King of the Penalty. To be more precise: conceding them.
Obviously, it is never intentional or malicious, and one might argue that some penalties are impossible to prevent. But I believe Cane will need to tighten his discipline before taking over the running of the team.
Now to the candidate who is probably least likely to be given the captaincy; and yet possibly the one who shows the most potential for it. Scott Barrett is a war horse.
He will go into every game and lead by example, working tirelessly at breakdowns, stealing lineouts left right and centre, taking down restarts, making countless tough tackles and providing endless carries.
He has never been a flashy player, instead using his strength and quiet determination to push his team further. After one poor decision in Perth in Bledisloe 1, Scott Barrett returned to rugby stronger and better than ever.
The Barrett boys (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Scott has a lot of things going for him. He is the youngest candidate mentioned so far at 26. This would mean that should he be handed the reins, he would be likely to stick around for at least 1, possibly two World Cups.
He definitely has the footballing intelligence, coming from a family steeped in the sport. Aside from all of this, he has also been entrusted with the captaincy of the Crusaders in the absence of Whitelock.
If the All Blacks are to regain their World Number 1 status, one of the keys to their continued success will be longevity. A captain who, like McCaw and Read, will be there for the long haul.
A captain who will lead them in the way they are accustomed, with quiet determination and humility. And I believe that captain is Scott Barrett.
Barrett, his brother Beauden, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Sam Whitelock should be the only contenders. At the end of the day, I have enough faith in the New Zealand rugby system to believe that the right person will be chosen for the job.
But who knows how long we will have to wait before that decision is announced.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Aaron Smith is way too immature. He demonstrated his limited understanding of obligation to meet reasonable expectations by *onking the sheila in an airport dunny whilst in transit with the team. Then he cried for the cameras when he got caught! Too much inherent stupidity there.
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
Beauden can't run a backline let alone Captain the AB's. He went missing against Eng. Nil leadership demonstrated by him or Mounga. If he can step up and take charge of the Blues and LEAD them to success on the field like a 1/5 is meant to then maybe he could become a candidate for the AB Captaincy. On field leadership/game management as well as developing a more physical /tough/mongrel forward pack is what the AB's need to develop in the next RWC cycle. Both of the Barrett's that you have mentioned are excellent players . But I don't rate them as AB Captain material.
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
He went missing against the Eng pack when playing at 6. The search for a nos 6 needs to continue. Its not Barrett. He is a good lock and will get better. If he gets past his concussion issues then Luke Jackobsen may be the next AB 6.
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
If any players value was demonstated in our defeat to the English in the WC Semi then it was the absence of Sam Cane from the get go. We got severley done at the break down and our forward defence was non existant. Whitelock should never be captain due to to his ill discipline .Just as the AB's were gaining some semblance of momentum he gave Farrell a face massage and we lost the initiative. Hansen dragged him soon after. Sam Cane is a better 7 than Savea . We did not need flash in the semi we needed grunt and mongrel. Barret is a good lock and will get better. He is not a loose forward . He went missing at the breakdown and was passive at the line outs even though he was selected along with our other jumpers to attack the English lineout. Sam Cane is the best candidate for the next AB Captain.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
‘Elbows’ Moody? He is certainly clever enough. But there are other criteria.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Ha! The tide has turned, Waxy?
Highlander
Guest
Gday Bob Wanna guess what the following games have in common Bledisloe wobble in Dunedin Loss to Ireland in Dublin Loss to England in Japan
Old Bugger
Guest
I agree HJ.....its not a matter of certainty in selection because the ABs have already shown they can play under a leader, who was available because the chosen leader, was out injured. Whitelock for Read and Read for McCaw, comes to mind. I suggest, had Cane not crocked his neck, the chances are he may have challenged for more games, as AB capt. he has proven his leadership qualities in SR and test rugby - Barrett and Savea have yet to do so.
Picking Daisies
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t be so sure that Whitelock and Retallick will unseat Barrett (if he plays at lock). They’ve both played A LOT of footy at an exceptionally high standard, and it’s no certainty that they’ll come back from their sabbaticals with the same intensity (or desire) as they had when they left. None of us (Richie McCaw 2015 excluded) can escape Father Time. In saying all this, I’d be converting Scott Barrett to a full-time blindside role. He has the physicality, athleticism and ball-handling skills to play at 6; a physical 6 is something we’ve missed for a while now. I’d love to see Luke Jacobson kick on at 6 as he looks to be a long-term All Black (and captain), but I have serious doubts about whether he’ll actually have a career in rugby considering his concussion issues at such an early stage – I say that with empathy and concern.
Martin van Niekerk
Guest
The problem with Scott Barrett is that When Whitelock and Retallick is back, he will be on the bench. I will even go as far to say that i would like to see Luke Jacobsen as the nr 8 and captain from 2021 onwards. I think this kid has the talent to become even better then Kieran Read and he was the captain for the under 20 side. I wish he can stay fit for 2 full seasons to show everyone what he is made of. This will be my team for the 1st welsh game: Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Barrett (whitelock on a sabbatical if im correct), Savea, Cane(C) , Jacobsen, Smith, Mo'unga(Barrett on a sabbatical if im correct), Ioane, Alb, Goodue, Reece, Mckenzie Aumua, moli, any young tighthead maybe de groot or Ross or O'Reilly or Fidow, Pat, another young looseforward hopefully a talent 6 or 8 maybe Roots, TJ, Ioane, Laumape
Englishbob
Guest
Mmm probably Cane for the me from the three but I'd probably put Taylor and Ardie Infront of those. As much as possible the captain should be a first choice, Ardie had to play every minute now, if the ABs pick a proper Blindside he may have to be first choice 7, Codie Taylor is just exceptional and should be one of the players this next AB dynasty is constructed, you could make the same argument for Retallick. Whitelock looks tired and while still very good his form for the last two years has been less than his best. A bigger issue than the captain is the glaring lack of depth in some departments. With the absence of the retirees NZ now don't have a clear or obvious 1st2nd 3rd for props, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 and they need another lock. Still an exceptional team and with a host of great players but I'd focus on the 15 first before who gets the C
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I reckon, and I think Australian Rugby should just stay concerned with their own game, carry on not researching the opposition. This looking across a figurative halfway line cannot be healthy. This insular and self-absorbed attitude has certainly worked for Australian Rugby for the last 5 yrs, heck they have almost won half their games... carry on son, carry on.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Totally. My vote goes to Dane Coles, because if we’re gonna swing, swing for the fences.
CUW
Roar Rookie
LOL Scott Barrett was in AB squad at 23 - even starting for Crusaders. IWL is not even mentioned in that sense. understandable - when he is not even a reguar starter for Wellington !!!
scrum
Roar Rookie
Barrett seems to be a bit of a loose cannon to me- engages in a lot of unnecessary niggle and cheap shots.
Harry Jones
Expert
He is the best tackler in New Zealand. Needed to play 1H vs England.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
However Cane is not a certain selection. Savea is better at 7 and NZ typically choose larger blokes at 6 and 8.
pm
Roar Rookie
He seems to me the most obvious choice too, just for how much the impact he has at the breakdown can influence the whole game, I would have thought. Also not convinced Scott Barrett is established enough as an automatic selection and a guy who's not going to be, often enough, outplayed . But as a non Kiwi/All Black's I might be out on that