Sam Cane could be set to be dumped as All Blacks captain.
A source has told the Otago Daily Times that Cane could tomorrow be replaced as captain by veteran lock Sam Whitelock for the two-test series in South Africa.
It follows the All Blacks' dismal run of recent form that culminated in the home series loss to Ireland.
Cane, who has played 80 tests and been captain in 13 of them, will presumably keep his place in the squad as a loose forward, though he may lose his starting jersey.
But there is speculation New Zealand Rugby, acknowledging something has to be done to shake up a misfiring team, possibly no longer believes he is the right choice as captain.