Read’s comeback 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 confirmed yesterday that Read is unlikely to hit that deadline, but said he couldn’t provide a definitive date for his comeback. When Read, 32, returned to Christchurch after the All Blacks tour of Europe late 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. Pain in the hip had forced Read to remain in bed for much of the week, with Sam

Whitelock captaining the All Blacks instead.

While the operation on Read 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 said he hoped Read’s first appearance in Super Rugby would be in midApril, and given the Crusaders have a bye in the ninth round on April 13-15, it seemed likely he would play 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 at AMI Stadium tomorrow night, will continue to call upon Jordan Taufua to start at No 8.

Unlike fellow All Blacks Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Israel Dagg – who all missed the tour of Europe because of injury – Read, a 109-test veteran, has rarely been sighted out on the grass when the Crusaders have trained at Rugby Park this year.

This is because Read has been assigned a different training programme from that of his teammates, who are expected to make their returns against the Sunwolves. Richie Mo’unga who suffered a fractured jaw against the Stormers on March 3 could also be ready for action around the same time.

There can be no doubt that All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will be taking a very close interest in Read’s rehabilitation, with the All Blacks scheduled to play the first of their three tests against France in Auckland on June 9.

If Read, who joined his fellow All Blacks from the South Island for the ‘‘Foundation Day’’ staged in Christchurch last week and participated in a light gym workout, was unavailable to play France it could mean Luke Whitelock or Akira Ioane are potential starters at No 8.

The key for Read, it seems, is to be patient. While some sportsmen and women have made swift recoveries from back operations, there are also examples of athletes who have had issues. Golfer Tiger Woods had several back operations in attempt to reduce pain, and later, a spinal fusion.

Meanwhile, Robertson has recalled All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty for the match against the Bulls in Christchurch tomorrow night. 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 and replaced by Billy Harmon.

Loosehead prop Tim Perry will make his first start of the season for the Crusaders, with Wyatt Crockett shifted to the bench.

Right wing Seta Tamanivalu was ruled-out after training on Wednesday because of a groin strain, and Manasa Mataele will start.