All Blacks to be boosted by return of skipper Read

New Zealand look set for a major pre-test series boost with captain Kieran Read on course to face the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s Eden Park opener.

Read’s injury-hit year began with a wrist problem, while the latest setback – a broken thumb – has ruled him out since late April.

But the 97-cap No 8 looks set to return this weekend, with All Blacks team-mate Sam Whitelock and assistant coach Ian Foster leading acclaim for a player whose impact on the series could prove considerable.

“This whole year, Kieran has had bad luck through injury and he has been adding to the team, with the Crusaders and here [with the All Blacks],” lock Whitelock said. “Even though he hasn’t been out there on the field, it has been great having him driving those things.

“Now he is hopefully ready to go, he will hopefully bring that Kieran Read way of playing. He will lead from the front, and it is awesome when he does that and he plays great rugby when he is being himself and taking the lead.

“He has always targeted this game to get back. He has been working really hard with the trainer and physios to get right for this game. When he gets that opportunity, he will take it with both hands.”

Foster delivered an upbeat fitness bulletin about Read, who took over as skipper from Richie Mccaw after the 2015 World Cup.

Head coach Steve Hansen will announce his starting line-up for the opening Lions clash tonight, and Read looks set to be in it.

“Firstly, he didn’t want to miss it [the first Test],” Foster said. “He is desperate to play. He is our leader, so that’s natural. Secondly, the diagnosis has always been that he was going to be due to play this game, and we have been monitoring that progress versus the initial diagnosis.

“It was a little bit touch and go for last week [against Samoa] whether there was a chance to get him a few minutes under his belt. It didn’t happen, but we are pretty satisfied.”