WYNNE GRAY believes the time has come for Anton Oliver to assume the mantle.
It has been a season too far for Todd Blackadder.
The inspiration behind the Crusaders - and installed as All Black captain last year when new coach Wayne Smith went for a core-values approach - Blackadder has scarcely figured this year.
He may have voiced his international epitaph when he bemoaned the punishing programme for top players.
That lament came this month - only three months into the schedule.
That criticism should not be held against him, because Blackadder has been one of the hardest grafters in New Zealand rugby in the past few years.
But he had to make a greater impact to justify his retention as All Black skipper.
Blackadder played adequately in his 10 tests last season, but was helped by the injury to Royce Willis and lack of competition.
He took his chances, did a steady job, was solid, industrious and a doughty scrapper, and he reignited team unity as skipper. But he did not qualify as a distinguished international lock.
Blackadder struggled in the Super 12 this year and other locks showed much more breadth to their play.
Willis, Mark Cooksley, Dion Waller, Chris Jack, Norm Maxwell and Simon Maling were all more effective.
Robin Brooke, in his abbreviated game-time, had a greater impact. The Crusaders seemed to accept that Blackadder's time was up when they used him as blindside flanker in one game and then subbed him in others.
Last year, his cause was helped by his captaincy, as the coaches sought to douse the flames from the 1999 World Cup campaign.
Like Mike Brearley in cricket, and perhaps Andy Leslie for the All Blacks before him, Blackadder drew more on his leadership than his talent to keep him in the side.
Yet the All Black problems, especially in the tight five, can no longer yield that luxury to Blackadder.
The sport is too tough to concede any advantage as Blackadder does, especially in lineout ability.
In a frighteningly small group of rugby leaders, Blackadder does not appear any more impressive than Anton Oliver or Deon Muir, who both played quality rugby in the Super 12.
Oliver is the solitary world-class forward in the All Blacks - he can direct and draw cohesion from team-mates.
He has leadership experience.
He captained the New Zealand under-19 side, skippered the New Zealand Colts and has led the Highlanders.
A well-educated man with opinions which do not necessarily follow the party line, Oliver could get disenchanted with continuous public duties.
But there are few other options.
Anton Oliver will be around for the 2003 World Cup.
Blackadder will be watching it on television. So while Blues coach Frank Oliver heads away from the public rugby stage, son Anton should be told to prepare for his ascent.
All Blacks 2001 test schedule
Oliver's time has come
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.