Next AB captain?

Rembrandt

Have we done a thread on this? Too soon?
I'm assuming Read is gone after next WC, who is the next long-term option? I wonder if Jacobson's selection might a little to do with a potential eye to the future in that regard.

TeWaio

The trouble with having to offer sabbaticals to keep all our senior players in NZ is that post-WC its not clear who becomes captain.

MajorRage

Sam Whitelock is next in the pecking order I believe.

But you might be right with Jacobson.

Chris B.

@Rembrandt Yeah, Read is definitely gone.

I guess we don't know who the next coach is, so the captain could be anyone - but, you'd think Sam Whitelock would have the inside running, with Sam Cane in the next lane...

Interesting thing, for me, is despite the prognostications of doom of @banned4lifejaguare - I think there's only four guys in the RWC squad that are confirmed not to be around next season - Read, Todd, Crotty and Ben Smith - and maybe only SBW additionally who's not signed in NZ.

Suggests that there's been a bit of a look to the future with a few selections.

antipodean

Whitelock and Cane would have to be the next two inline.

Bones

Yeah, was going to suggest TJ but I guess it needs to be someone who's going to be playing nigh on 80 minutes for most games. Points to Whitelock or Cane I reckon.

ACT Crusader

Ardie Savea a man of great stature.

nzzp

@ACT-Crusader said in Next AB captain?:

Ardie Savea a man of great stature.

er, he gets high on life?

Edit: and would lead us to heights we previously didn't believe we could achieve

taniwharugby

expect Goodhue will feature in the conversation, although as a back, likely VC.

Darren

No question it will be Whitelock.

nzzp

@Darren said in Next AB captain?:

No question it will be Whitelock.

Absolutely. Luke's a solid player.

DrivingMaul

A lot of people saying definitely Whitelock but I think Sam Cane is in with a decent shout

Rembrandt

@DrivingMaul said in Next AB captain?:

A lot of people saying definitely Whitelock but I think Sam Cane is in with a decent shout

Whitelock is 30, Cane 27. Will be interesting to see if Whitelock wants to stick around for another WC cycle, Cane is certainly young enough but will he want to with the injuries he's had

nzzp

@Rembrandt said in Next AB captain?:

@DrivingMaul said in Next AB captain?:

A lot of people saying definitely Whitelock but I think Sam Cane is in with a decent shout

Whitelock is 30, Cane 27. Will be interesting to see if Whitelock wants to stick around for another WC cycle, Cane is certainly young enough but will he want to with the injuries he's had

Whitelock S is signed through to 2023 I think. Competing in 4 RWC if things go well; at least 2 (and counting) winners medals.

rotated

Generationally they have to go with Cane. Would be happy Whitelock for two years but four on probabilities is going to end in tears.

Stargazer

Is there any reason why it has to be a forward? If not, ALB might be an option?

taniwharugby

@Stargazer who was the last back we had as captain (regular, not one offs)

Was it Kirk?

Bovidae

Tana

taniwharugby

@Bovidae of course...I knew I was missing someone haha...

It doesnt have to be a forward, but usually is.

Bovidae

There has only been 3 regular captains (Umaga, McCaw, Read) in the last 16 years so whoever it is needs to be in a position that plays the full 80 mins, and preferably is close to the action. That rules out hookers, props and halfbacks and outside backs. I like @rotated's idea of using Whitelock for 2 years and then transitioning to Cane. No one else really stands out.

The Silver Fern

Next AB captain?