The new All Blacks Captain is......
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="559417" data-time="1455834825">
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<p>"We have known for quite some time that <strong>five of the guys are going to be leaving, with a 1000 test matches between them.</strong> We've known for a while and we've planned for that."</p>
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<p>5 guys and 1000 caps...</p> -
Congrats. Obviously it was expected but jeez he would want to up his game from last season. Rodders and Collins completely fell apart at a similar point in their career following a RWC. I'd be curious if this has been done with an appointment with the Lions tour in mind and no further than that.
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<p>Is it just me who finds this whole announcement a but weird? It's February, the first games of the season are still a week away, the first AB team isn't due for 3 months. Why announce a captain and the first choice 7 now? Especially given everyone knew it was going to happen anyway?</p>
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<p>It's not like people have been hanging out for this "news" (ok maybe sparky) so why not wait until the squad announcement later in the year? This seems to me like making noise for the sake of hearing yourself. </p> -
<p>wasn't it comments made during interviews with him as COTY which is understandable as opposed to an official announcement?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="559434" data-time="1455837400">
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<p>It will be interesting to see if Read can up his game back to pre-head injury levels. A lot of experience gone which might see a bit more inconsistency of performances but this is a good chance for others to step in. Cane has sizeable shoes to fill</p>
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<p>Well he has a whole super season to take it easy and recover now that he is guaranteed the captaincy and I assume highest salary. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="559434" data-time="1455837400">
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<p>It will be interesting to see if Read can up his game back to pre-head injury levels. A lot of experience gone which might see a bit more inconsistency of performances but this is a good chance for others to step in. Cane has sizeable shoes to fill</p>
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<p>and we can't expect him to fill the greatest ever players shoes. Fortunately for us Cane could likely be the best openeside in the world though. I will take that any day of the week.</p>
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<p>Obviously no one is surprised about captaincy but compared to his 2011-13 vintage, Read is about 65% that.</p> -
<p>Someone posted a great video of Hansen talking about leadership quite a while back where he said Read will be captain in 2016. Sooo this is kinda old news... :)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="559437" data-time="1455838384">
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<p>When was the team announced? </p>
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<p>Looks like I missed it again. :|</p>
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<p>Fair go NZZP - Sir Richie made his surprise announcement less than three months ago and poor Steve Hansen has just spent a sleepless Christmas reeling with shock <strong>and</strong> wondering and worrying about what to do - who to choose at 7? Do I have anyone worth a try as captain?</p>
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<p>He'll have Wayne Smith in the outer office there making phone calls as we speak, ringing blokes up to check if they intend going again this year (and asking a couple of 'em why they haven't yet returned their jersey after the last game in November). I think he has 'til the Thursday before - June 9 - to have the team list ready for the media afternoon print run. :think:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="559446" data-time="1455839512">
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<p>and we can't expect him to fill the greatest ever players shoes. Fortunately for us Cane could likely be the best openeside in the world though. I will take that any day of the week.</p>
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<p>Obviously no one is surprised about captaincy but compared to his 2011-13 vintage, Read is about 65% that.</p>
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<p>Shag has done a great job blooding lots of players to try and lessen the sting of losing a bunch of great veterans</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="559431" data-time="1455837008"><p>
Is it just me who finds this whole announcement a but weird? It's February, the first games of the season are still a week away, the first AB team isn't due for 3 months. Why announce a captain and the first choice 7 now? Especially given everyone knew it was going to happen anyway?<br><br>
It's not like people have been hanging out for this "news" (ok maybe sparky) so why not wait until the squad announcement later in the year? This seems to me like making noise for the sake of hearing yourself.</p></blockquote>
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Totally agree. What happens if Read gets injured during the Super 125? I really hope I'm wrong, but I think Read may be in serious decline. Who is next in line behind him? Are either of the locks captain material? -
<p>Well done Kieran. Shocked but really excited by this appointment.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="559571" data-time="1455863689">
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<p>Totally agree. What happens if Read gets injured during the Super 125? I really hope I'm wrong, but I think Read may be in serious decline. <strong>Who is next in line behind him</strong>? Are either of the locks captain material?</p>
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<p>Would it be Cane?</p> -
<p>Im not going to predict Read may not be able to hold his spot in the team down the track , but there were a few worrying signs this year that make me concerned </p>
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<p>But agree with the decision overall , but then dont really understand why it was announced in February either </p>
