SENZ Breakfast co-host Israel Dagg has named his personal frontrunner for the All Blacks captaincy role.
Loose forward Sam Cane is the current captain of the national side, however, injuries have marred his time at the helm in recent years, prompting calls for his replacement.
While several players including Ardie Savea and Sam Whitelock have attempted the role, Dagg believes one contender “knows what it takes” to lead the side back to their former glory.
“Look for me, I’d probably go with Beauden Barrett if I’m going to be completely honest,” Dagg said.
“I’ll probably go with him just because he’s got a ton of experience, he’s got so much respect and mana in that team.
“You need someone that’s going to be able to (front up) when questions need to be asked, and he’s obviously a driver within that team so he’s got a big voice anyway.
“He’s the person that’s going to be doing most of the talking … all of the decision making out there and having a real connection with that backline (and through) to that forward pack.
“So if I’m going to pick the captain, mine would be Beauden Barrett going into the July series just because he’s played over 100 Tests, he’s got the mana and respect and he knows what it takes to play at that top level.”
With the July Test series against Ireland fast approaching, it will soon be known whether Cane has retained his position or if someone else has been handed the reins.