All Blacks: Skipper role brings out the best in Read

All Black Kieran Read. Photo / Getty Images

If there was any doubt about who the best player in the world was last year it ended at Twickenham when Kieran Read gave a masterful display.

Returning to the same ground, almost exactly 12 months on, Read is nudging ever closer to that same imperious form. Twickenham, as it was last year, might be the ground on which he goes boom.

Going to the USA last week was one big step for the All Blacks, one giant leap for Read.

Captaincy sits well with him: brings the best out of him. It wasn't coincidence that he was in such commanding form in 2013 - a year in which he captained the All Blacks in six tests.

Chicago was his first game as skipper in 2014 and it was the first time - admittedly the opposition helped - that he has been so effective in the wider channels.

His level of comfort on the ball is not matched by many backs yet alone loose forwards, while his skill level borders on freakish.

He gave a near miracle pass out of the tackle in Brisbane to set Cory Jane up in the corner and at Soldier Field, he threw an even better one when he peeled off the back of the scrum, took on two defenders and somehow shuffled the ball to Julian Savea.

When Read is playing so effectively between the tram lines and prepared to back himself to throw those game-changing passes, it's a sign he's absolutely on top of his game.

That he's now starting to fully blossom is not a surprise - he's been adding a little more to his performances for the last few tests and his stint as captain has left him in great mental shape ahead of playing England.

"I was pretty confident before that game as well," he says. "The confidence hasn't changed too much to be honest. I am in a great space now to be playing my footy and really enjoying it.

"It [USA test] was another opportunity to grow that part of my game."