Kieran Read is looking increasingly likely to take over the All Black captaincy after Richie McCaw’s retirement but Todd Blackadder wants him to continue as Crusaders skipper.
The New Zealand No.8 has captained the All Blacks in the past, and could well lead them when the British & Irish Lions visit in 2017.
However Read will miss the first two games of Super Rugby with the Crusaders, in an effort to keep him fresh, with New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock given the task of captaining the side in his absence.
But according to reports in New Zealand, Read is keen to continue his provincial role, even if he does have more responsibility at Test level.
"He (Blackadder) pretty much asked me if I was really keen to carry on and it what I want to do when I'm here right now,” Read told the New Zealand media.
“From my point of view that is exactly what I wanted to do again. It just took the time for us to have that chat and work forward from there."
Whitelock will lead the team for the opening two games, and insists he is ready to take on the extra challenge of the new role.
"There a few decisions you have to be made on the field, but besides from that I would like to think I am pretty relaxed," said Whitelock.
"Hopefully that can help me out."
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