All-Black legend Kieran Reed tips Caelan Doris to lead Lions under Andy Farrell
Doris has recently been named Ireland captain and Read is backing Doris to lead the side.
Former All Black captain Kieran Read is adamant Leinster and Ireland back-row Caelan Doris has all the credentials to be Lions captain.
And that Leinster fans are in for a treat, Jordie Barrett has arrived in Ireland on the back of almost 'holiday' rugby in Japan and is, as one of the best rugby players on the planet, on the cusp of a big season.
"I rate Caelan Doris very highly," admits the 2011 and 2015 rugby World Cup winning back-row of the potential Lions skipper this summer.
"I've watched him a bit this year and he is a very good player. A player who definitely has got captaincy material over him - because you know what you're going to get.
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"Most importantly, he's an 80-minute player who just does not take a step backwards and every kind of impact in the one-on-ones and the impact that he has on the game is generally a positive one."
Meanwhile Read revealed that he had always known Barrett, when the opportunity arose to play club rugby, would choose Ireland over England or France - and it wouldn't be because he wanted a handy time with a dominant club.
"I'm not surprised that he did want some time away from New Zealand but was a little surprised he chose Japan first.
"But he's not looking for a rest and recovery from that, you go to Japan, you are having a rest, you are not getting tested. It's a free ride which is good in some ways and I think he's probably pretty happy in his body.
"Moreover if you want to really improve yourself, which I think is Jordie's kind of mindset, you come up to this part of the world, or France, and play there.
"He's got a connection to Ireland. He lived there for a year a while ago so I rate that decision quite highly. He is going to have an impact up here. It's going to help his game. He's all about growth time."
Read had fond memories of Ireland - and of the 'sacred' Jones's Road venue in particular.
"I loved playing Ireland. I was very lucky to be one of the All Black team to have played at Croke Park - I think the only All Black team to play at Croke Park in 2008 as well. That experience was amazing.
" I understand the history that went on there. We, as All Blacks, we definitely do a bit of research around where we're playing and what it means.
"So we were given a bit of a history lesson that week around the significance of us playing on that field as professional athletes, which only happened in those two years where the Aviva was getting rebuilt. So I definitely understood the significance.
"It was pretty remarkable. I sat on the bench. It was my second test. So, a pretty remarkable place to witness the atmosphere of a test match at my second test. Understanding exactly what it was and looking at the terrace and the history and everything.
"It certainly hit home and is pretty cool, I guess, to say that you were one of those on the only All Black team to play there."
It was always great fun playing against Ireland and there is a lot to be said when it comes to the claim Ireland-New Zealand is the biggest of the northern hemisphere-southern hemisphere rivalries.
"Just a great team, and especially probably the year after Soldier Field in 2016, or even probably before that, when we got out of jail in 2013."
"Ireland are a team that is growing and the way we look at it in New Zealand is that they are one of our biggest rivalries right now.
"It's a great thing to have, and pretty cool to see their growth and create a real, genuine rivalry between us."
A rivalry he expects to see the All Blacks remaster in the coming years on the back of turning a corner under Scott Robertson, finding their feet a little bit more, this year.
"I was worried because I think we just didn't see any progress for a lot of the year this year, especially during the Rugby Championship.
"The same kind of mistakes and things have been happening all year for us so the Ireland game this November was huge for us.
"I know Ireland didn't play as well as they played all year, so that helped. But just getting that victory, I think, built a lot of confidence.
"We played our best game against France and lost but a couple of little errors and things that didn't help us that game day.
"Because what we've got, we've got individuals who have been playing really well this year but it was all about getting them to get that time and that synergy together which we didn't quite have all year, probably even until the end we still didn't quite get it right.
"So, yes, we've got high performers and just getting them to work together and with Scott which having the year is about, more knowledge of our game. It's going to bode well, hopefully, for next year."
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