Read's patient comeback
‘‘There is no timeframe on it (his return), hopefully in July some time. It could be earlier, it could be later.’’
Kieran Read, right.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read has tentatively promoted July as the month for his long-awaited comeback following surgery on his spine.
Although the 32 year old, who this week began training with the Crusaders for the first time this season, confirmed he has zero chance of representing the All Blacks against France next month he was upbeat about the progress he has made since having surgery in mid-December.
‘‘There is no time-frame on it (his return), hopefully in July some time. It could be earlier, it could be later,’’ Read said.
‘‘It is just about ticking milestones off, and this is one. It has been a long time since I have been on the field, actually run- ning around properly. I still have a lot to do.’’
The good news is Read has not been bothered by pain during, or after, trainings. He has been introduced to some wrestling exercises, been lifting and jumping in lineouts and hopes to start contact sessions in a few weeks. Yesterday he was able to run at full pace before the physiotherapists asked him to withdraw and do gym work instead.
The discectomy operation has the potential to add several years to his career, something that will be of huge relief to the All Blacks selectors as they plot the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan next year.
‘‘The disc bulges on to the spinal cord, so I had that scraped away,’’ Read explained.
‘‘Obviously the nerves had been damaged and the nerves went down into my leg and I had the pain. It [the operation] alleviated all that, and then it just takes time for it to heal.
‘‘Nerves generally take six to 12 months – so I have just got to be patient with it.’’
The images of Read back at work should be well-received by admirers within New Zealand and abroad, because at his best there is no disputing he can be one of the world’s best No 8s.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who will reveal his 33-man squad on Sunday, is expected to name Sam Whitelock as his captain for the series against the French but has remained in close contact with Read.
With 109 test caps to his name, the latter has put body through the wringer since starting his professional rugby career with the Crusaders in 2007 and although mid-April was earlier mentioned as when he would make his comeback to Super Rugby, he was satisfied with progress.
‘‘It is a six-month injury, really, from post-surgery,’’ Read said. ‘‘It is going good, it is never going to be smooth. You just have to be patient with things like nerves and when you are mucking around with your spinal cord you cannot rush things.
‘‘That’s what the experts have told me and everything has been going great.’’
He has slowly built-up his strength in the gym, participating in exercises such as Pilates and pool work. His first outing in a competitive game could well be at club level.
‘‘I guess if I wasn’t a rugby player I would probably feel I was at 100 per cent a month or so ago. If you are trying to run around, and get hit and smash people it is a little bit different.’’
When asked if was tempted to miss all rugby this year to ensure he was fully fit for the World Cup, he said heeding the advice of the medical staff was crucial. Getting back to work on the grass was a relief.
‘‘Just having the ball in the hands and running around the lads is a positive. It has certainly given me a bit lift this week.’’