46 KIERAN READ PLAY FOR COUNTIES

Who would know what the future holds but it is unlikely to involve Kieran Read playing many more, if any games for Counties.

His appearance in late June this year might be the only one of his career as he’s going to be heading o•shore after the World Cup.

But one is better than none and it was a big moment for Read to wear the jersey.

It was firstly a coming home moment for him. He grew up in South Auckland and as a kid he went to most of Counties’ home games when Jonah Lomu and Joeli Vidiri were carving up.

And secondly, that was his first game of any kind since major back surgery in December in 2017 and gave him the confidence that his injury was behind him.

HOME BOY It meant a lot for Kieran Read to play for his home province.