He's not going anywhere. He's signed with New Zealand rugby until the end of 2017, when the Lions series is done and dusted.
He's a selfless leader, a team-first individual and a rock for the team at the back of the scrum.
But Read should not be the next captain. Sam Cane should be. He's Prince William.
When this was suggested on Radio Sport's The Crowd Goes Wild Breakfast on Wednesday, the text messages came flooding in that he's too young, it was too risky being an openside who has to push the interpretations of the laws and is not guaranteed to start every test like Read.
It was as if these comments had been cut from people's MySpace pages in 2006, when McCaw was announced as captain after Tana Umaga, and sent in via SMS.
McCaw is such an influential player for the All Blacks. He tests the patience of the referees and opposition, and his constant communication as captain has made him a perfect leader.
He gets every opportunity to talk to the referee, understands what is going to be the focus heading into a test and can use his personal skills to form a rapport with the refs.
Just reading the comment pieces of the past few days from the Herald team in the UK, you can't get more of a glowing endorsement for Cane as a player and individual from coach Steve Hansen or Cane's teammates.
The guy has spent countless times in media scrums answering every second question about being McCaw's back-up since he debuted in 2012, scoring two tries in a rout of the Irish.
He has been more than gracious in his answers and soaked up the fact he's behind the greatest All Black we've ever had.
In just Cane's second season of All Blacks rugby, the senior players decided he would be included in the leadership group, unheard of for a bench player, let alone a man aged just 21.
Cane will start every test when fit. Matt Todd or Ardie Savea will most likely back him up in the coming years. But they are not Cane.
The Chiefs No 7 has won two titles and again it's testament to his character that he split his time with Tanerau Latimer for Dave Rennie. They weren't competing for the jersey, they were being rotated.
It probably saved his body quite a bit, too, which is a luxury for a coach and a godsend for players who endure the grind of Super Rugby, especially a young one developing his skills and growing into his frame.
There is no doubt Read would make a fine captain but perhaps he might realise that Cane is the natural successor to assume McCaw's role. While it would be disappointing for Read, he seems the type of player and, more importantly, person who would endorse Cane as leader.
