Ben Smith will be the All Blacks' vice-captain this season.

The rise and rise of Ben Smith will continue in 2016, with the world's best fullback confirmed to take a major step up in responsibility with the All Blacks.

Smith will be Kieran Read's official deputy in Steve Hansen's back-to-back world champions when they launch the post-Richie McCaw era in the June test series against Wales.

It raises the prospect of an All Blacks captain in the backline for the first time since Mils Muliana, should Read be sidelined for any reason.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster confirmed to an appreciative audience at the Otago sports awards that Smith had been chosen as vice-captain for the 2016 international season.

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It's a richly deserved promotion for the 29-year-old Highlanders co-captain and 48-test All Black who is at the peak of his powers as a player and thriving as the principal leader with the defending Super Rugby champions.

Smith has been a regular All Blacks starter since 2013 and took ownership of the fullback position in 2014. Since then he has taken his game at the back to new levels of excellence, and is widely recognised as the world's premier No 15.

Quietly spoken by nature and a reluctant participant in the spotlight that inevitably follows the All Blacks, Smith has grown more and more comfortable with his rising stature as a world-class rugby player.

And he has thrived under the extra responsibilities handed him by coach Jamie Joseph at the Highlanders. Smith is hugely respected at the southern franchise and is the key driver in setting standards, plotting game-plans and establishing the successful culture that has been a hallmark of their charge to their inaugural title in 2015.

It's an important juncture for the All Blacks as they push on following the departure of six important leaders in their setup.

As well as the retirement of McCaw, they have lost leadership group staples Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith (to French rugby) and Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock (retired).

But coach Steve Hansen still has plenty of accomplished leaders to support Read and Smith, with Aaron Cruden, Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett to take important roles in the All Blacks' new leadership group.

The New Zealanders will meet Warren Gatland's Wales in three tests in June, starting on June 11 in Auckland, followed by June 18 in Wellington and June 25 in Dunedin.