AB skipper back in the fray
All Blacks captain makes return after injury for Counties Manukau but not missing Super Rugby ‘car crashes’
All Blacks captain Kieran Read has made a successful return from a long-term back injury. Read yesterday played the first 40 minutes of a pre-season Mitre 10 Cup fixture for a Counties Manukau selection’s 26-all draw against a Tasman selection at Mountfort Park, Manurewa.
Read was heavily involved from No 8, running the ball strongly, grabbing some lineout ball and making plenty of tackles.
“My body is actually okay. It is a bit tired,” Read said. “Today really was just to go out and get a bit of contact, take a few hits, make some tackles and really just enjoy the game.
“We got through all that with no adverse effects on the body.
“It is going to be a step up going back to Super Rugby. It was good to get that hit-out so now it is up to the coaches to decide how they want to use me.
“Maybe in a smaller way off the bench or something next week.”
It is the first appearance in Counties Manukau colours in 14 years for Read since he ruptured his ACL playing for the union’s Academy side in 2004. The long-time Crusaders and Canterbury representative grew up in the Counties Manukau region and played with the union as an age-grade player before moving south once he burst on to the professional scene.
“Once I signed with Counties it was always a goal of mine to try to get a game in. I know it isn’t an official game but it is still cool to pull on the colours,” the 32-year-old said.
“It was cool to play in front of Dad. I spent my life here growing up. He always took me along to Growers [Stadium] to watch on the bank so it is pretty cool to come back and I think he was pretty proud today.”
The seven month injury lay-off has almost been like a sabbatical for the 109-test All Black. Although no one likes being injured or sitting on the sidelines, Read concedes there is some silver lining to the injury break.
“It does in a weird way,” he said. “I miss rugby but it has been great for me personally with my family to spend a bit more time with them.
“The body actually feels pretty good — you’re not getting that car crash that you get week in and week out in Super Rugby.
“I feel pretty good. Hopefully there will be bigger benefits for me for the rest of this year and hopefully heading into next year [Rugby World Cup] — that is what I am aiming for.”
Once Read got the legs churning, he admitted his biggest challenge on the park was identifying his teammates.
“There’s obviously a few ‘bros’ and ‘cuzzies’ from my point of view, I didn’t quite know all the names,” Read said with a laugh.
All Blacks and Crusaders forwards Jordan Taufua and Tim Perry also got through the match unscathed playing for Tasman.
A big crowd turned up at the local club ground to see the All Blacks captain and get an autograph.