Refreshed Read ready to rumble
KIERAN Read feels a million dollars right now. And he should soon be banking an annual pay cheque to match it when he gets his next contract with New Zealand Rugby over the line in a matter of weeks.
At a time when attention is focused on looming off-contract All Blacks (it’s 2-2 on the scoreboard so far), Read makes it clear he’s going nowhere. He’s waited a long time to take the biggest gig in rugby captaining the greatest side on the planet, and he has plenty still to achieve there, and elsewhere.
‘‘It’s progressing well,’’ he says of negotiations more about the fine print than the bottom line. ‘‘I’ve let them sort out the important guys first, Bender (Ben Smith) and Izzy (Israel Dagg), and now they’ll flip the page and go on to me. It should hopefully be done in a month.’’
The chief discussion points involve some of the sub-clauses that stud the modern deals. You know, things like sabbaticals, breaks, management of a body that’s been through its fair share of combat already.
‘‘Those extra things are important, especially at this stage of my career,’’ Read concedes. ‘‘I have to be smart, and make sure I’m able to turn up in few years’ time in the best space I can be physically and playing the best footy I’ve played in my life. I’ll make decisions that are best for me, the All Blacks, and the Crusaders.’’
The powerful No 8 certainly cuts a relaxed figure ahead of one of the biggest seasons of his rugby life. He has a British and Irish Lions tour to peak for in JuneJuly — he will earn his 100th test cap during the once-in-a-career series — and some Super Rugby redemption to achieve along the way.
Much of that laidback demeanour is thanks to some timely wrist surgery that has afforded a decent break and a sustained lead-in till his scheduled mid-April return to action for the Crusaders. He’s also now a father of three (excused the recent All Black wellbeing camp to tend to new baby Reuben), and any family time he gets these days is like found money.
‘‘It’s a blessing in disguise, to be honest,’’ he says of the extra time his wrist surgery has allowed him to prepare for 2017. ‘‘The body feels great, and it’s nice to have a good lead-in to a season.’’
You ask how he views the bal- ance between putting performances on the track in Super Rugby, and being at your best for the Lions.
‘‘The best way I’ve always found to play well later in the year is to be playing at a really high level in Super Rugby. My role coming in later will be to fit into the Crusaders team as quickly as I can and get some form under my belt.’’
There’s an interesting scenario awaiting the All Blacks mid-year. The Lions will be supremely prepared, with that six-match lead-in to the first test. The challenge for Hansen’s men will be shaking off that traditional June rust for the LAWRENCE SMITH/FAIRFAX NZ Eden Park series opener. ‘‘We’ve got a bit longer than usual — a couple of weeks at least. We’ll know what we’re trying to achieve and then you’re not so worried about clarity and it’s all about preparing for a normal test week and turning up. I’m sure we’ll find a way get that right.’’
In 2005 Graham Henry had a trial and hitout against Fiji ahead of the Lions. Not coincidentally they hit the ground running to sweep the series with ease.
So far Hansen has not signposted a warmup game, but Read trusts his coach to get the formula right.
The 31-year-old reflects with satisfaction on his first year as national skipper — 13 wins from 14 — though concedes the Chicago defeat offered the chief learnings.
‘‘I think I handled the year as well as I could have. You figure out how you can make the biggest impact in the most positive way, and this year I’ll try to make a proactive attempt at shaping us as a group. We made good strides but I’ll be a lot more confident with that year under my belt.
‘‘A loss magnifies a few things. It highlights things around one-off games, different parts of the world, big crowds, and also adapting to being down in big moments. It was a good learning.’’ TONGA’S test against Wales in June is likely to be shifted to the Auckland area because of safety and stadium issues.
The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed that the test, which would have been played in the Tongan capital Nuku’alofa on June 17, can no longer take place at Teufaiva Sport Stadium because of redevelopment work.
There are also issues about the state of the pitch and the Welsh Rugby Union have voiced concerns over the lack of medical facilities.
A delegation from the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby visited Tonga in December to see if sufficient progress had been made to get the stadium ready. Those concerns could not be satisfied.
World Rugby are working with the Welsh and Tongan rugby unions to find a new venue for the game and Auckland is the favoured option.
When Tonga last played in New Zealand, fans of the rugby team almost brought Auckland REUTERS Airport to a standstill during the 2011 World Cup, as they flocked there to see the team arrive.
There are three options for the venue in the Auckland region, with North Harbour Stadium possibly the leading contender as Eden Park could be seen as being too big and it has better facilities than Growers Stadium in Pukekohe.
The test will take place on June 17, the same day as the British and Irish Lions take on the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua.
There were also concerns about Wales’ test against Samoa on June 24 in Apia, but those issues have been resolved.
Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies said they are disappointed at not playing their first test in Tonga since 1994.
‘‘Everyone involved in the planning for this tour wanted the game to be hosted in Tonga and this is the reason we have delayed before confirming the fixture,’’ Davies said.
‘‘ ... unfortunately time has proved to be against us all and, although difficult, it is the right decision to move the game.’’