Kieran Read named new All Blacks captain as post-Ritchie McCaw era begins

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen confirmed the first of his major rebuilding decisions following back-to-back World Cup victories with the naming of Kieran Read as the next national captain on Friday, replacing the retired Richie McCaw.

The 35-year-old McCaw, named as the 2015 New Zealander of the year earlier this week, retired at the end of last year after leading the All Blacks to a second successive Rugby World Cup triumph.

He was one of six stalwarts of the team, who had cemented them as the most dominant in world rugby in the past decade, to retire after the tournament hosted by England.

“Reado’s had experience already as captain nine times,” Hansen told Radio Sport on Friday. “Whilst it will be a new experience to be there full-time, at least he's had a taste of it.”

Hansen, who has said he was more than likely to step down after next year’s British & Irish Lions tour, has been rebuilding the side since he took over in 2012 and now has a core of players boasting more than 30 international caps.

The 30-year-old Read’s anointment to the second-highest profile job in New Zealand, behind that of the rugby-mad country’s Prime Minister, had been on the cards for at least three years.

He first led the team on their end-of-year northern hemisphere tour in 2012 when they beat Italy 42-10.