Rugby Union: Former All Blacks Captain Endorses Scott Barrett for Leadership Role
Former New Zealand captain Kieran Read has voiced his support for Scott Barrett to succeed Sam Cane as the next All Blacks skipper. Cane, who has announced his retirement from international rugby at the end of the current season, had previously ruled himself out of contention for the captaincy.
Barrett and Savea Emerge as Leading Candidates
Barrett and Ardie Savea have emerged as the leading candidates to take over the leadership role, with Read believing that Barrett’s existing rapport with All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson could give him the edge. Savea, though highly regarded for his inspirational abilities, has been perceived as somewhat shy in the past when it comes to captaincy duties.
“Scooter’s [Barrett] done it for a while with the Crusaders and been pretty successful,” Read remarked. “Ardie, I think, in terms of his ability to inspire and get players to follow him is pretty impressive in the All Blacks jersey. There’s a couple of pretty awesome options… it’s a hard call, I think potentially Scott Barrett if I’m thinking of someone, because of where he’s at.”
Barrett’s Experience and Relationship with Robertson
Read, who captained the All Blacks in 52 of his 127 Tests, believes that Barrett’s previous experience leading the Crusaders under Robertson’s guidance could be a significant advantage.
“Knowing Scooter, what he’s like, and what he’s going to bring to the team, it’s an advantage for those two guys to work together,” he said.
While Savea would also be a “fantastic” choice, Read suggests that Barrett’s well-established relationship with the incoming All Blacks coach may ultimately sway the decision in his favor. Ultimately, the former captain believes that whichever player is selected, the leadership group around them, including players like Savea, will be crucial in supporting the new captain’s success.
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