Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has relieved Dan Carter of the team's vice-captaincy in a bid to rejuvenate the All Blacks pivot.
Back-rower Kieran Read will captain the seven-times champions in the absence of Richie McCaw - who will return to action in July - while Ryan Crotty and George Whitelock will share the vice-captain duties.
Carter's demotion means the Crusaders will field a revamped leadership group during this year's campaign which starts against the Blues in Auckland on March 1.
Blackadder is adament that Carter - who was the Crusaders' vice-captain since 2011 - is happy with the decision.
"He (Carter) has taken it really well," Blackadder told Fairfax Media.
"If anything we are just wanting to unburden 'DC' a little bit.
"A lesson learned from the past is that when you have got guys in the All Blacks leadership roles, and they have that added responsibility, it just doesn't stop when they leave the field.
"It is constant. They are having a lot of leadership meetings which are a distraction. We just want them to come back to the Crusaders and play well rather than have the expectation that they have to lead."
Not being vice-captain means Carter will have the option of avoiding some of the Christchurch-based franchise's off-field tasks.
"He probably won't go to as many leadership meetings but he will contribute in other ways," Blackadder said.
"And that is because he wants to - not because he has to. And there is a real difference there."
Meanwhile, Blackadder revealed that he has remained in contact with wing Zac Guildford, who took indefinite leave from the Crusaders to undergo counselling following another alcohol-related incident.
Blackadder said he was still uncertain whether Guildford would be available this season. The New Zealand Rugby Union have not confirmed when a misconduct hearing will be held.
"I have been in touch with Zac quite a bit through text messaging and can tell through what he is saying it (his rehabilitation) is having a huge impact on him ...," he said.
"If what come out of this is that the guy can come back to play, that would be fantastic. But there are a lot of things that have to happen before that.
"The NZRU are the people he has to front up to ... But the Crusaders would love to have Zac Guildford back as a new man with a clean slate."
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ferdie: I know. I have family and friends there. In Chch and Cantabury area. He could have gone to Nelson area or just out of town. But really not criticising him. He's got his family to think of. Just a light joke. Still it does make sense for him to think on a Blues offer you'd think.
Posted 10:48 23rd February 2013
ferdie says...
ArmchairGeneral - jafa? thousands of Christchurch people still dont have homes of their own 2 years (22 Feb) since the biggest earthquake; thousands have left Chch altogether, The shopping centre has reopened - built of shipping containers. I wouldn't live there in any circumstances (though Auckland wouldn't be my second choice); be maybe 10yrs till rebuild complete.
Posted 22:04 20th February 2013
Isograford says...
Well Blackadder is probably in his last year of coaching the Crusaders, so i guess he'll try anything. Hopefully one of the things isn't bringing Guillford back, he's blown his chances.
Posted 18:33 20th February 2013
saintblack says...
Dan is still the man... greatest pivot to eva play the game and yes i sed eva...
Posted 14:04 20th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Jafa, Dan Carter. Who would have thought. Wonder if he will join the Blues.
Posted 13:20 20th February 2013
ferdie says...
demotion? suggest they've done it to keep him happy as he is allowed some personal time too - he now lives in Auckland, not Christchurch/Canterbury, commutes for training/games, his wife has their first child in April.
Give the man a break!
Posted 11:47 20th February 2013
carpelone says...
Mmmmm. Last year, he tried to move him at inside center, now this demotion. What is happening? He may know that he could go overseas to yet another sabbatical.
Posted 08:57 20th February 2013