Kieran Read's relishing the chance to lead the All Blacks into a new era, beginning with the three-Test series against Wales next month.
Read's told Paul Henry he's not daunted by the task of taking over from the great Richie McCaw.
"Look for us as a team we can't stand still, I can't be a leader and go with what he's done in the past, we've got to be a team that moves forward and tries to create another part of this great legacy of the All Blacks," Read said.
"If you look through the team we've got some pretty talented young men and we're certainly excited about getting out there against the Welsh."
Read admitted it would be a challenge in the early goings with a team that is missing experienced veterans like McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu.
"Sometimes you take it for granted how much experience means especially at a level like Test matches where it does come down to a couple of centimetres and the mind games.
"Look the guys stepping into the roles have been around, they've experienced it over the last few years, albeit not in the high leadership level, but hey, we've got to go out there and perform and we're certainly going to give it our all."
Watch the full interview with Read in the video above.
Newshub.
