Read rules himself out of Samoa test
WELLINGTON: Injured All Blacks captain Kieran Read has ruled himself out of the seasonopening test against Samoa, leaving him in a race to be fit to face the British and Irish Lions.
Read confirmed he will not face the Samoans at Eden Park next Friday, which falls eight days out from the first of three Lions tests.
The No 8 has not played since breaking his thumb against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on April 29, having spent the first half of the Crusaders Super Rugby campaign recov ering from wrist surgery.
Read said his return was in the hands of medical specialists.
‘‘We’ve had Xrays done this week, so that will just hopefully reaffirm that everything’s on track and that I can start using the thumb again,’’ he said.
‘‘I think Samoa is probably right out of the question. Then it’s just going to be how it responds.’’
The 31yearold needs to play all three matches in the Lions series to reach the 100test mark.
Read’s captaincy armband will probably be worn by flanker Sam Cane or lock Sam Whitelock against the Samoans.
His absence will test New Zealand’s loose forward depth — only five were included in the 33man squad announced on Thursday.
Veteran flanker Jerome Kaino (knee) and No 8 Liam Squire (thumb) have not played for more than a month, leaving openside specialists Cane and Ardie Savea as the only fully fit loosies.
Coach Steve Hansen named openside Matt Todd and No 8 Akira Ioane among five players to provide injury cover. — NZN