Scott Barrett admits he needed some time to come to grips with the new role handed to him by his former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson.
The veteran lock has been named captain in Robertson's first squad as All Blacks coach, scheduled to face England and Fiji next month.
That's a responsibility 'Razor' has entrusted to him before, as the Crusaders accumulated seven Super Rugby crowns in as many years. Barrett was captain for four of those seasons, although his first stint was marred by a foot injury that sidelined him for much of the 2020 campaign.
This one comes with just a little more pressure.
"Just the enormity of the job, I guess," he reflected. "Where I'm at in my career, it's a job that will probably require every bit of me.
"I'm hugely honoured and I'm a deep thinker, so I want to be able to give this job my all. I did take a wee while... I guess I was taken aback by being asked to lead the All Blacks.
"I'm not someone who makes quick decisions, unless it's on the park. I had a few weeks after he sounded me out... it took a wee bit to get my head around what's going to be coming."
Often used as a blindside flanker to complement a veteran second row of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, Barrett can now look forward to commanding his locking spot outright, with the departure of those legends offshore and into retirement.
The first task under his new regime was to nominate vice-captains and he hasn't had to look far. Loose forward Ardie Savea was probably the other strong candidate for the outright leadership, which he has filled before, while the other is younger brother Jordie.
"Ardie, his onfield stuff speaks for itself, as World Player of the Year and the right man in the spine at No.8, with Jordie in the backline," said Barrett.
"Having those two across the park, as well as your natural leaders at first-five... having those guys on the ground that can help you."
Barrett plans on being a follow-me leader.
"Playing well and leading from the front with actions," he said. "I think that's a good leader.
"I love the game of rugby and love this team, and on the park, I naturally run the lineout stuff and give direction there. I have some awareness around when the team is riding low and potentially needs a rev-up.
"If we're highly emotive and highly aroused during a game, it might be giving a wee calming focus, if that's what's needed in that moment. I think it's having an awareness of what your team needs when things are thrown at you in rugby."
His appointment continues a familly legacy in the black jersey, with brothers Jordie and Beauden already among the natural leaders in the team.
"I talked to [Jordie] a couple of days ago around the vice-captaincy," said Barrett. "He first congratulated me and was then taken aback over the vice-captaincy.
"I think, where he is in his career, he's playing well, and is starting to read the game and has a feel for the game. I'm hugely proud to have him there and Beaudy was equally as proud.
"I guess it's a two-way thing - if we're not providing the right ball up front, I'm sure we'll hear something and it wil be his job to keep us humming in the pack."
One area he knows he will need to improve his discipline in the tackle, where he has seen his share of red cards during his All Blacks career.
"I've certainly had some great highlights and a few lowlights with the red cards," admitted Barrett. "I think that's a technical thing within a game.
"It's a contact sport and things move quickly, but if your technique is out, coupled with a little bit of frustration, the margin for error is too small.
"I guess that's heightened as captain, you want to be leading from the front with accuracy around tackle and ruck work."
