All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has confirmed No.8 Kieran Read will lead the side this year following the recent retirement of Richie McCaw.
Read's appointment comes as the All Blacks prepare for life without their former skipper and five other senior players, five-eighth Dan Carter, second-five Ma'a Nonu, hooker Keven Mealamu, centre Conrad Smith and prop Tony Woodcock.
Hansen is confident Read's previous experiences in recent seasons of leading the All Blacks in McCaw's absence will hold him in good stead and ensure a smooth leadership transition.
"Reado's had experience already as captain nine times and whilst it will be a new experience to be there fulltime, at least he's had a taste of it," Hansen told Radio Sport.
"We have known for quite some time that five of the guys are going to be leaving, with a 1000 test matches between them. We've known for a while and we've planned for that."