‘Good coin’ and ‘nice package’ for Read
Peel back the layers on Kieran Read’s new contract, one he battled to sign with a broken thumb, and you will see he received everything he wanted. Not that you would expect anything less for an All Blacks captain.
From a six-week sabbatical clause to expected million-dollar annual salary - thanks to last year’s $70m boost in the player payment pool - and the gesture of linking with his home province Counties Manukau, Read has certainly ticked multiple boxes and been richly rewarded for committing through to the end of 2019.
‘‘Five or six years ago I might have looked overseas potentially after 2015 but circumstances now and being skipper, there’s a lot of work to be done with this All Blacks team and some awesome challenges ahead,’’ Read said. ‘‘Yeah, it’s good coin. I’m more than happy with what’s coming my way. The whole package is nice for the family and it’s great to be here in New Zealand.’’
As part of the agreement, Read confirmed he had the option, much like All Blacks and Highlanders fullback Ben Smith, to take six weeks off at his discretion over the next two years.
The groundwork for time away from the game leading players now savour was first laid by Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. Now the provision barely raises an eyebrow.
‘‘I can take that at anytime,’’ said Read, who turns 32 in October. ‘‘It’s a case of working out with the coaches when is the best time to do that. I’ve had a bit of time off already this year so I’ll talk to the Crusaders and All Blacks to figure that out. It’s going to be crucial.
‘‘I’m not getting any younger so I want to make sure I’m getting to 2019 in the best possible shape. Even though I’ve missed a number of games this season it’s still a big year and there’s a lot to come and you’re still training so there are benefits in having a bit of time off and you’ll see that with a few guys as well.’’
Such a valuable piece of the All Blacks, Read was always going to have the red carpet rolled out. But his choice of venue for the announcement had a nice feel to it.
Around 600 students warmly greeted Read as he took the stage at Rosehill College in Papakura, south Auckland, where his name sits on two honours boards. It was back to school, back to his roots.
Memories flooded back as he recalled his time in Kahurangi house; as head student and sportsman of the year in 2003, before venturing to the University of Canterbury to study sports science, with the view of potentially one day being a teacher.
Read lightheartedly mocked balding PE teachers that lingered from his time; stood tall and acknowledged a rousing haka from the first XV and interacted seamlessly with many adoring students.
The once ‘‘skinny white boy’’ as he described himself sure has come a long way.
The likelihood of Read actually turning out for Counties is slim. Despite re-signing with the Crusaders and staying put in Christchurch, his intention to make a difference in the region he grew up is genuine.
‘‘The impact I’ll have here in rugby in general is going to be bigger than perhaps signing with Canterbury. Hopefully I can get a few more people involved in the sport. It was a dream growing up to wear the Counties shirt and I missed out in my early career so hopefully one day. I heard a few rumours going around about the Blues and Chiefs but that was never going to happen.’’
As for Read’s fitness, nothing has changed. He is two-and-a-half weeks away from getting his cast off on June 10, and will then have another X-ray to determine his return date. He is expected to sit out the warmup match against Samoa and go into the first Lions test at Eden Park on June 24 cold. OPINION: Experience, three No 9s and No 10s and a 19-14 forwards/ backs split.
Those are the foundations for the All Blacks squad I would send out to give Warren Gatland’s men the warmest of receptions.
As crunch-time approaches my appetite for bolters decreases: hence no Jordie Barrett even though he is perfectly capable.
No Rieko Ioane either. Mine is a familiar squad of hard heads who can get stuck into their work quickly. And it begins with the pack.
The Crusaders’ form means that one of the toughest calls, between Luke Romano or Patrick Tuipulotu as back-up lock, has become progressively easier.
It was fascinating to hear how Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has put a focus on putting the kilometres in his men’s legs. Perhaps this has been key to a mini Romano revival. Tuipulotu’s handling errors on contact have also counted against him.
Seven loose forwards are selected to reflect the injury concerns there, with Bristol-bound Steven Luatua simply too good to leave out. As for the three No 7s good luck picking the starter. I have Matt Todd in front by a nose.
In the backs Tawera Kerr-Barlow joins Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara at No 9. I am drawn to the comfort of three specialists in key positions, particularly when all three halfbacks are in superb form.
That yearning for specialists also explains the selection of Lima Sopoaga as a third No 10 rather than Damian McKenzie to cover No 10 and No 15.
In the midfield, Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams are automatic
selections and Anton LienertBrown’s huge work-rate means he isn’t far behind. He has not yet hit his best form but clearly has capital in the bank with the selectors.
The fourth spot belongs to Malakai Fekitoa, who is rock solid defensively and has provided flashes of excellence on attack.
That leaves the back three: it picks itself because Nehe MilnerSkudder is unlikely to be available and Beauden Barrett offers cover at fullback.