There are only three real candidates to be Dave Rennie's All Black captain

A certain Richie McCaw was still pretty wet behind the ears when made AB captain. He did OK as I recall. If you are a leader then you are a leader. I'm not saying experience is irrelevant but it's not the key either.

I think given the coaches, Ardie must be odds on favourite. He is also awesome follow me leader. But does he still have the passion? Does his reported malaise run deeper? Is there some burnout there? If so, he needs to be honest about that, much like Barrett needs to ask himself whether heis built for the captaincy of the ABs. If we look at the great and really good recent AB captains - Fitzpatrick, McCaw and Reid they commanded their positions and their passion for the Black jersey was never ever in doubt while they wore the Captains armband. Ever. Can we say that about Ardie given the talk of leaving the ABs just two months ago? Does a change in coach really reignite that never say die passion? If not, then the ABs should look to the next generation.

It amazes me in the professional era that captains are not specifically trained for the role. That does not always mean employing a referee like SA and NZ.

We are talking effective communication and good listening skills.

This can and should be trained. A person doesn’t have to have the natural personality traits. Leaving it to the individual is amateur hour stuff.

A Captain must also be able to ensure the leadership group functions in such a way that what is required and/or tactical changes and longer in a match are identified and communicated quickly to the players in the team that need to know.

This onfield organisation could be the difference in a big RWC knock out match.

Captaincy is a big role and the person must be fully supported in that role to get the maximum for the team.

As a long suffering Hurricanes fan I'll tell you for free that Ardie is terrible at the on field captain's role, doesn't communicate with the ref, makes poor decisions and no fan wants to hear a 2 minute prayer before a lacklustre 20 second explanation of what went right or wrong. Great player, terrible option for captain.

Scott had his run, he isn't a top 3 lock at the moment, he's better off focusing on his game.

Personally I want a captain that's in a position where it's likely that they'll play 80 minutes most games, they're the main point of contact with the ref and continuity matters when pointing out issues and infringements, for that reason (amongst smaller ones) I don't want Codie Taylor there, vice captain? Sure, he's been there long enough and it's unlikely he won't be in a given 23.

The last back to be ABs captain to my knowledge was Tana, who just so happens to be an incoming coach, why limit ourselves to forwards when our best, most consistent players happen to be backs? Roigard is great but like hooker it's not an 80 minute position and he's still pretty new, Jordie is pretty much the only player that I would consider, even if it makes Christmas dinner in Pungarehu a bit awkward.

I feel like savea and sititi are on the same level, but I would recommend the all blacks to try include Brodie retallick for 2027, as every good team should have about 80% new guys, and the rest should be experienced blokes to guide the youngsters. But Scott Barrett or sititi should be captain in my opinion

It's far more important to get the right 15/23, the captain should follow from there. One of Fozzies biggest mistakes was naming Sam Cane as captain way before the squad was announced then felt he couldn't back track.

Why don’t we choose the best fullback and guaranteed starter - Will Jordan. Plenty more experience than Roigard and likely to play 80.

I know the ABs will deny it, because they like Scottie and don’t want to hurt his feelings, but I have yet to see him act anything like a captain. We need a captain who deals confidently rather than obsequiously with the ref, and whose whole demeanour lifts the side, particularly when they are on the back foot.

Barrett will remain captain until Rennie is ready to make a decision after Rivalry tour. It’s really the only logical option.

Is Savea a better 7 than Lakai? Is Savea a better 8 than Sititi? Both debatable.

Is Taylor a better hooker than both Taukeo’aho and Aumua? Debatable.

Is S. Barrett a better lock than Holland and Va’ai? Debatable.

Is J. Barrett a better 12 than Tupaea? Debatable.

Is there any NZ halfback better than Roigard. NO- indisputable.

Roigard as captain.

Cam Roigard as captain.

Roigard is the same age and position as when France gave Antione DuPont the captaincy and it has benefited the player and team.

Time is now to give the arm band to the present not the past- Cam Roigard.

Savea as captain. Does the writer not recall Ardie sitting under the posts sulking like a 5 year old

Needs to be a recent ‘World Rugby Player of the Year’ who has never been red carded in his professional career

Good lad, Ardie. Go get it!

The only options are the same options they’ve always had. How boring.

Will Jordan, not all captains need to be in the front

Tupou Vaii

Would it be wrong of me to say that Cody did not show the form LY ( was still good) or so far this year to be a shoo in as the starting 2? cannot deny the ball carry abilities of Samisoni Asafa and Bell at present with the first 2 in their “ golden” years in terms of age experience