All Blacks openside Richie McCaw is expected to be rested for their second November international against Italy so as to look at potential new captains.
McCaw, who will take a six-month break after the end-of-year series, is expected to be given 80 minutes off when New Zealand face the Azzurri.
That would allow head coach Steve Hansen to get a look at potential new skipper Kieran Read or Dan Carter and also allows an opportunity for Adam Thomson, Sam Cane or Victor Vito to prove they are the most suitable replacement to fill the number seven spot while the veteran flank rests.
"That is a possibility and I see that as a positive," Hansen told Fairfax when asked about whether he would give McCaw a rest in that tour match.
"It will give someone the chance to take over the leadership.
"Kieran Read or Dan Carter are probably the two leading candidates, depending on what the final selections are."
New Zealand open their November schedule against Scotland at Murrayfield before facing Italy, Wales and finally England at Twickenham on December 1.
Comments
three6three6 says...
It is no surprise to see McCaw touring..... the reason is simple, not ONLY is he the best no.7 in world rugby BUT he is also one of the best captains around at the moment as well. He is on tour in order to nuture the next front line no.7 AND the replacement Captain.
To suggest that he should not be touring shows a lack of understanding of how the All Blacks continue to build upon success.... When Sam Cane played no.7 earlier in the year, Richie McCaw played at no.8. This was a cleaver move in its own way - the master and the apprentice were on the pitch at the same time.... imagine for one moment the value of such a developmental opportunity.
I am surprised by the number of personal insults flying around on this site.... there is really no need for any of this.... this should be a place for sharing thoughts, insights, views and opinions.... where other people's opinions and views are respected.
Posted 02:46 13th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
melkdave -- if you have coached at any level i pity the players you coached because the volume of utter rubbish you have come up with here is unbelievable. then again who knows what they are doing in england when it comes to rugby
Posted 11:06 08th November 2012
UtilityBackHook says...
I definitely agree with @Carpelone and @APV1 with respect to @melkdave. He is a gentleman, and his insightful posts reflect his experience and enthusiasm for rugby, so keep 'em coming, buddy! And who cares about proper grammar? This is a rugby site where rugby enthusiasts from all over the world get to speak their mind about the game they love, so let's save the grammar lessons for another day and talk some rugby! I'm looking forward to enjoying these upcoming tests, so game on! :)
Posted 17:30 02nd November 2012
APV1 says...
@ Carpelone - his *mediocre* spelling might need work, but I agree melkdave's a gentleman. If he supported Bath too, he'd almost be acceptable.
porridge_time, on the other hand, is not a gent. I suspect he tripped over chasing Goldilocks and got a bump to the head. Otherwise I'm struggling to comprehend and explain his level of nonsense.
Posted 14:55 02nd November 2012
Carpelone says...
We are listening, Porridge_time.
What is your experience?
Melkdave is a gentleman and never insulted anybody on this forum. And, honestly, I enjoyed his point of views. Should he use a spell check, he would be perfect.
Posted 22:11 01st November 2012
melkdave says...
@Porridge_Time
Again your commenting on something you know nothing about ,specifically me.Would it surprise you to know that ive actually lived and played in NZ that ive taken a few coaching lessons there ect Before returning to the UK to play to a high leval ,though not international ,and have coached teams here.If youve done the same ,then you can say you know something about NZ rugby otherwise in all honesty ,you cant.The whole point of McCaw being rested is to try and get him fit ect to the 2015 RWC.That K.Read is going to be the long term replacement as captain isnt really a secret .Given the above why is it strange to wonder why McCaw is going to tour,surly its an ideal oppotuneity to see if K.Read can do the job ,and to blood youngsters at openside in case R.McCaw doesnt make it to RWC 2015.I could understand him going as part of the magement ,so he could advise K.read ect but as a player ,not so much.
Posted 11:12 01st November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
I think it's more important to have McCaw there if we're about to promote Read and play Cane.. his advice and experience is doubly important. Despite the success this season, there is no point resting him, he's probably only played 2 games a month this season, has played 1 test in the last 4 weeks and will probably only play 2 and a bit times on this tour and he has half of next year off. Hardly taxing.
Posted 01:27 01st November 2012
porridge_time says...
Melkdave... your surprise at McCaw touring Europe only highlights how little you know or understand Kiwi rugby. Only way he (McCaw) would not have toured is if he was injured ir retired. Yes they will use the tour to blood young guys and give Read a run as captain, but McCaw is still the captain of the All Blacks.
Posted 12:15 31st October 2012
porridge_time says...
Melkdave... your surprise at McCaw touring Europe only highlights how little you know or understand Kiwi rugby. Only way he (McCaw) would not have toured is if he was injured ir retired. Yes they will use the tour to blood young guys and give Read a run as captain, but McCaw is still the captain of the All Blacks.
Posted 12:15 31st October 2012
side_stepper says...
He even has a bandaged knee when playing golf..you certainly need a rest mate.
Prediction: Read as skipper
Posted 06:43 31st October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Agreed melkdave!! We have to ween ourselves off that tagline..the AB's are just the Carter & Mccaw show. This would have been the perfect opportunity to blood a new openside & also to run Read as our captain, which in the future he is bound to be.
Posted 06:27 31st October 2012
GoWalesGo says...
They should rest him against Scotland as well.
Posted 15:00 30th October 2012
ferdie says...
news? he's played (starts not as sub) ten tests since June, if he plays two or three of the others on this tour, enough I think.
Posted 13:28 30th October 2012
melkdave says...
As i said in the squad thread ,im surprised McCaw is touring anyway.Surly its the perfect time now for him to be resting up after a hard season ,and it allows the AB mangement to test out players for captain ,without McCaw looking over their shoulders Also it would give S.Cane and M.Todd a extended run of games to show just what they can do and offer the team .
Posted 12:38 30th October 2012