Drury or Kura: Kieran Read is still undecided
Will Kieran Read chose Drury or will he pick Papakura?
That’s the question devoted fans of the Drury and Papakura Rugby Clubs want answered. But it’s one that Read has on hold while he and his All Blacks are on their British Lions safari.
‘‘I haven’t made a decision yet,’’ Read told the Papakura Courier. ‘‘Yes, it’s a tough decision to make.’’
Read made the comment during a whistle stop visit to Papakura with All Black team mate Jerome Kaino last Wednesday. Both grew up in the town and openly wear their love of it on their sleeves.
Drury or Papakura became the question when Read chose Counties Manukau as his province of choice when signing a two year contract extension with the Crusaders and the All Blacks.
Read, unlike Kaino, has dual loyalties. Drury was the first club of the boy who went on to be head boy of Rosehill College and captain their 1st XV. He switched to Papakura in 1997 to play in the under-13s and under-14s, grades which Drury didn’t have.
He hasn’t forgotten those years: ‘‘ We had two successful seasons making the finals both years.’’
Kaino remained a Papakura junior until he took up a scholarship at St Kentigern College.
Papakura’s two All Blacks were home to support two causes: the Papakura Museum’s exhibition Balls, Bullets and Boots: From the Rugby Field to the Battle Field and to present trophies to the winners of an inaugural rippa rugby tournament that featured Edmund Hillary, Kelvin Road, Kereru Park and Red Hill Schools.
The WWI exhibition was developed by the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North and tackles the story of wartime rugby.
The life stories featured in the exhibition capture the range of wartime experiences Kiwis went through 100 years ago.
The rippa tournament was played at Massey Park where Read, Kaino and another World Cup winning All Black prop John Afoa once played as juniors.
The pair were mobbed by adoring children who sought autographs and photographs with their heros.
Kereru Park School are first winners of the Brian Kidd Memorial Trophy. Red Hill School won the boys’ tournament and Edmund Hillary the girls’.