All Blacks Announce Richie McCaw’s Successor As All Blacks Captain
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Kieran Read will captain the All Blacks in 2016.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed the big No 8 would be handed the role in the wake of Richie McCaw’s retirement. McCaw stepped down after leading the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cups last year.
The 30-year-old Read, who has already captained the All Blacks in nine tests in McCaw’s absence, has played 84 tests for New Zealand, being involved in both of the recent World Cup triumphs.
Hansen confirmed Read was his man as he looks to cover the massive loss of experience in his squad following the retirement of several veterans.
“Reado’s had experience already as captain nine times and whilst it will be a new experience to be there fulltime, at least he’s had a taste of it,” Hansen told Radio Sport on Friday.
“We have known for quite some time that five of the guys are going to be leaving, with a 1000 test matches between them. We’ve known for a while and we’ve planned for that.”
