International man of mystery
The wait goes on for the return of All Blacks captain Kieran Read to top-level rugby. Richard Knowler reports.
‘‘He can’t afford to come back too early and damage it again and miss another six months.’’ All Blacks coach Steve Hansen on Kieran Read
One part of the Kieran Read mystery could be solved. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson appears resigned to not being able to select All Blacks captain and No 8 Read before Super Rugby goes into hiatus for the June test window.
‘‘Just to make it easier for him and to be really clear, there is no race for him to be there,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘It is going to be postJune when he is ready.’’
At the start of the season it was hoped Read, who had surgery on his lower back in December to fix a nerve that had been causing pain in his leg, would be able to target the game against the Sunwolves in Christchurch tomorrow night to make his comeback.
But the 32-year-old has yet to be sighted on the grass at Rugby Park, where the squad trains in Christchurch. Clearly his rehabilitation is going to require more time. Just how much is uncertain.
Robertson’s comments were made in the wake of similar sentiments uttered by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who told Radio Sport there was no pressure on Read to rush back for the three tests against France.
‘‘I don’t think he’ll be back until after the French series but that’s not a fait accompli at this point,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘He knows his body and we can’t afford him to come back too early and damage it again and miss another six months and maybe even miss the World Cup – we’ll just take it one day at a time and one week at a time.’’
If Read doesn’t play France, Hansen will have to sift through his register of back rowers to replace the 109-test veteran. Akira Ioane, Luke Whitelock and Liam Squire are all experienced operators in the position and have members of the All Blacks squad. The Crusaders’ Jordan Taufua could be another option.
Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock, who has been rested from the game against the Sunwolves, and Chiefs flanker Sam Cane appear the logical candidates to captain the All Blacks in Read’s absence.
Should the Crusaders make the playoffs, which are scheduled to start July 21, they may have limited time to get Read match-ready – if he is available. Their only roundrobin games after the June tests are against the Highlanders and Blues.
It was important for Read, and everyone around him, to be patient, said Robertson.
‘‘He is a player that has played a hell of a lot of footy. When he is right he could just go out there and play and be the man of the match. He has got that ability, instinct and experience.
‘‘You just don’t rush [injured] backs. The nerve is growing back, and he will get some strength in that calf. He is starting to run better, he is progressing. It is just time.’’