Graduation year for Read
The Lions series offers Kieran Read the chance to emerge fully from the shadow of Richie McCaw.
The British and Irish Lions could be the making of Kieran Read the captain. Two World Cup winners medals, one world player of the year gong already reside at Read’s Christchurch home; recognition of his global status. But this series, more than any other to date, offers the chance to stamp his own mark.
Since assuming the captaincy full-time from Richie McCaw, arguably the greatest leader rugby has seen, Read has presided over 13 tests for 12 wins and one defeat.
Fitness permitting, Read will join the All Blacks’ six-pronged test centurion club in the third assignment against the Lions at Eden Park in early July. But, no matter his depth of experience and success at No 8, he realises the need to grow from a leadership perspective. This series dictates he must be at his best throughout.
‘‘I’ve picked up a lot from last year. It was eye-opening learning the whole role and different things compound on your time,’’ Read said after signing on to the end of 2019 this week. ‘‘It’s ensuring you are in a great space to lead and being as calm as you can but not taking anything for granted. No assumptions is the biggest thing I learnt as a leader. You’ve got to keep preparing the guys as best you can.’’
This year has not been kind to Read. Wrist surgery forced a late start for the Crusaders, and he is now likely to sit out the warmup match against Samoa and rock into the first Lions test on June 24 cold due to risks associated with returning from a broken thumb.
Despite his lack of game-time, Read says his body is in great physical shape after regular noncontact training with the Crusaders. While his right digit is broken his left-hand fend, offloading and aerobic fitness has strengthened.
He has no apprehension about his lack of match fitness. Not getting smashed about thus far this season, and the provision in his new deal of a six-week sabbatical, should also be beneficial, potentially buying Read, 31, an extra six months or so down the track.
‘‘Of course I’d love a few games but if you look at it I’d rather be in my position than have played 30-odd games like a few of the Lions boys have done coming into this series. It’s one of those ones where I’ve played a few tests and that gives me the confidence. It may be a bit harder if you were newer and hadn’t had as many experiences, but I know how to prepare myself and can put a few things to the side and always have confidence in myself.’’
Steve Hansen has been vocal about the All Blacks living and breathing pressure every day; much more than the Lions, or any other international team. Internal demands match relentless external expectations. On many occasions the All Blacks aren’t just expected to win but win by significant margins. Maintaining those standards is a heavy responsibility. Other than the management team, the captain bears the brunt of that weight.
‘‘It’s ramped up from what you are as a regular player. As Steve said, we feel it as a team and individuals to perform every week. There’s nothing new in that. We’ve got pretty good at dealing with that on the field and walking towards that style of thing during the week so you get to a Saturday and you’re as prepared as you can be.
‘‘The challenge of that is epic. That’s something that really drives me. As skipper it’s extra motivating to have the challenge of the pressure. It’s something you want to feel because it means you’re in a real dogfight and something special generally comes out of it if there is a lot riding on it.’’
The 2011 World Cup was one of those occasions. During the buildup to their semi and final the All Blacks hunkered down in their inner-city Auckland hotel. Similar all-consuming attention, buzz and scrutiny will accompany this Lions tour.
Finding the balance between feeding off home energy and being distracted from the task at hand will also rest on the shoulders of Read’s leadership group.
‘‘There’s a few guys that have been through that and lessons you can teach to the young boys that are pretty valuable.’’
As for the rugby, there are no secrets about where the Lions plan to attack the All Blacks. Warren Gatland will instruct his big pack to target the breakdown; to slow the All Blacks’ ruck speed. But while the Lions are confident of physically dominating, Read and his pack welcome the standoff.
‘‘It’s a great challenge for us as an All Blacks pack.
‘‘We know it will be the making of most of the test matches - us being able to dominate up front. You can’t just rely on your scrum and lineout - it’s across the board. I know they’re probably stronger sides at the breakdown because they do a lot of it up there; perhaps more than we have in Super Rugby. That will probably be the other aspect of the game that’s going to be crucial.’’
The scene is set for Read. His future was sealed this week but the present will write a definitive chapter in his legacy as captain.
"It's ensuring you are in a great space to lead and being as calm as you can but not taking anything for granted." Kieran Read