Read’s comeback set to be delayed

Kieran Read’s return from back surgery could be on ice.

Initially it was hoped All Blacks captain and No 8 Read would make his first appearance of the year for the Crusaders against the Sunwolves on April 21, but the likelihood of him being fit for that fixture now seems remote.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said yesterday Read is unlikely to hit that deadline, but couldn’t provide a definitive date for his comeback. When Read returned to Christchurch after the All Blacks’ tour of Europe last year, he required spinal surgery to relieve chronic leg pain on December 16.

A bulge between the discs in his back had placed pressure on a nerve, causing discomfort so extreme that he was unable to lead the side in their final test against Wales in Cardiff.

While the operation on Read, 32, was understood to have gone well, and was expected to alleviate the pressure on the nerve, the Crusaders’ management have been told to be patient.

Earlier, Robertson had said he hoped that Read’s first appearance in Super Rugby would be in mid-April, and given the Crusaders have a bye in the ninth round on April 13-15, it seemed likely that he would play against the Sunwolves in Christchurch.

That meant Read could have potentially got a run for his University club in the Christchurch metro competition to test his back. But the continued uncertainty means the Crusaders, who play the Bulls tomorrow night, will continue to call upon Jordan Taufua to start at No 8.

Read, a 109-test veteran, has rarely been sighted out on the grass when the Crusaders have trained at Rugby Park this year.

Meanwhile, Robertson has recalled All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty for the match against the Bulls. Captain and lock Whitelock, and midfielder Crotty, missed the 25-17 loss to the Highlanders last weekend because of concussion issues. Another international, Matt Todd, has been ruled out because of sore ribs.