Hore made Hurricanes capt

Hore (pictured) replaces New Zealand team-mate Rodney So'oialo, who has stepped down from the position to concentrate on getting his fitness and game back to its best ahead of next year's World Cup.

So'oialo struggled with a neck injury towards the latter stages of last year's Super 14 and found himself replaced in the All Blacks by Canterbury and Crusaders loose forward Kieran Read on the end-of-year tour of the northern hemisphere.

"I want to really concentrate on my preparation and to be the best I can at what I do," the 30-year-old, who led the Hurricanes in 49 matches after taking over from Tana Umaga in 2006, told The Dominion Post.

"I want to try and continue to contribute my all to the Hurricanes and to the All Blacks for the next two years."

Hore's first game in charge will be the pre-season fixture against the Brumbies in Wellington on Friday.

The hooker, who has 47 Test caps but has never been captain of a senior side, is looking forward to the challenge.

"I captained the Otago development side for a bit, but nothing too serious really," Hore said.

"But I've been in a few leadership groups as well, though, and there's a lot of the same guys around here too. It's going to be huge. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully my game grows from it."