Sam Cane's eight-year journey to All Blacks captaincy has moulded him to the perfect choice for the toughest job in New Zealand sport.
Coach Ian Foster named the 28-year-old as his skipper on Tuesday, succeeding Kieran Read, who retired at the end of the Rugby World Cup.
Foster has glowing praise for the Chiefs flanker, touting his leadership skills, maturity and transparency as the driving force behind the decision.
Other candidates included Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles and Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock, but for Foster, the time was right for Cane to take on rugby's top job.
"It definitely wasn't a one-horse race," says Foster. "We have a pretty experienced leadership group, with plenty of guys who would be pretty qualified to captain the All Blacks.
"You can single out the likes of Sam Whitelock, who has been a leader and a captain of this side before, similar to Sam Cane.
"But overall, Sam is at a point of his career where he is ready to lead, he has a great style and, for us, it was the gut feeling that we went with."
Cane has been groomed as a future All Blacks captain, since making his debut as a teenager in 2012.
The 68-test veteran has also led the All Blacks on three occasions and been part of the leadership group since 2014.
"I've seen him grow immensely," says Foster, who first promoted Cane to Super Rugby as Chiefs coach.
"He's always been a very mature young man, even back when I met him when he was at Reporoa College playing there.
"He has his head switched on well, he's grounded and he had parents who would give him a clip round the ear, if he stepped out of line. Sam is very level-headed, so I think he is ready for this.
"He has had some great mentors in the camp the last eight years to learn off."
Foster also signalled a potential change in the way the All Blacks present themselves. At times during Steve Hansen's reign, they were accused of closing ranks and developing a near-siege mentality against the wider media.
But Cane is an extremely likeable young man, whose rugby talent is respected and appreciated by his peers, pundits and fans.
Foster revealed Cane's "openness" is a major human quality that influenced their final decision.
"How people on the outside view him isn't a major factor for us, but I do think his openness and transparency is really important in this era.
"We have a team that wants to be open and adaptable, and wants to listen and he will reflect that really well.
"I love the way Sam calls things as he sees it and sometimes it might get us into trouble, but that's okay, because he comes from a very good spot.
"We want to hear from him, we want to know what he has to say - that's why we want him as captain. Now that may be a little challenging at times for management, but I think it will be a positive thing overall."
Foster has yet to name a vice-captain and hinted that decision may lie with Cane, once the new skipper establishes the new All Blacks leadership group.
