Read closer to Racing 92 deal

Christchurch: Kieran Read is close to agreeing a seven-month contract to play with Racing 92 after next year’s Rugby World Cup. French newspaper L’Equipe has reported that English and Japanese clubs have been chasing the 33-year-old All Blacks captain too, and are prepared to offer him more money than the top Paris-based French club is. However, Read does want to test himself in France after next year’s World Cup and it has been reported that a compromise deal is close to being agreed. In this, Read would only be with Racing for seven months, joining in November 2019. It’s believed Read could command $2 million a season on the open market once his time with New Zealand Rugby comes to an end. Unlike in the French Top 14, English clubs can sign two marquee players outside the salary cap, so Read would be able to earn huge money in their Premiership. But it appears France is more appealing for him and a compromise deal for seven months would allow him to spend time there before heading to Japan or England to see out his days as a professional rugby player. Read is still regarded as one of the best players in the world, but was criticised for his performance in the All Blacks’ 16-9 loss to Ireland last month. All Blacks coach Steven Hansen was forced to defend Read after the media attacks. “Some of those articles are ridiculous and been written by people that have never been in our environment, we’ve never seen them at a rugby game. He’s going well. He’s in the best shape he’s been all year,” Hansen said.