Returning All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick believes there will be a seamless transition into the captaincy role for fellow veteran lock Sam Whitelock for the upcoming July test window.
Whitelock has been named captain of the side in place of injured openside flanker Sam Cane, who was ruled out of action for four to six months in April due to a torn pectoral muscle. While that timeline could see Cane return for the All Blacks' Rugby Championship campaign, Whitelock will lead the squad in the interim.
It won't be the first time Whitelock has deputised in the role, having captained the national side six times, and Retallick said he had plenty of qualities that make him well suited to it.
"Sam Whitelock is experienced with his time captaining the Crusaders," Retallick said when asked if the would be much of a difference in the captaincy styles of Cane and Whitelock.
"He's a very deep thinker and he leaves no stone unturned; he'll make sure everything is done correctly and to a high standard, and he's a great people person.
