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| Kieran Read | |
|---|---|
| Name | Kieran Read |
| Birth date | 26 October 1985 |
| Birth place | Papakura |
| Height | 1.93 m |
| Weight | 110 kg |
| Position | Number eight, Blindside flanker |
| Clubs | Canterbury rugby union team, Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, Tasman rugby union team, Crusaders (rugby union), North Harbour rugby union team |
| Province | Canterbury, Tasman |
| Super | Crusaders (rugby union) |
| Nationalteam | New Zealand national rugby union team, Māori All Blacks |
| Repyears | 2008–2019 |
| Repcaps | 128 |
| Reppoints | 170 |
Kieran Read is a retired New Zealand rugby union player who captained the New Zealand national rugby union team and was a cornerstone of the All Blacks during a decade that included a Rugby World Cup triumph. He featured prominently for the Crusaders (rugby union) in Super Rugby and represented provincial sides in the National Provincial Championship. Read combined powerful ball-carrying, effective breakdown skills and leadership, earning widespread recognition across international tournaments, domestic leagues and elite rugby competitions.
Born in Papakura and raised in Horotiu, Read attended Cambridge High School (New Zealand) and later Hamilton Boys' High School, where he played schoolboy rugby alongside future professionals from New Zealand secondary school rugby, including contemporaries who later represented Auckland rugby union team, Waikato Rugby Union and Counties Manukau. He developed through the age-group pathways of New Zealand rugby union development and featured in youth sides that competed against teams from Australia national under-20 rugby union team, South Africa under-20 rugby union team and provincial academies tied to Crusaders (rugby union) and Blues (Super Rugby). During his formative years he balanced commitments between club rugby in Waikato and representative duties with Hawke's Bay Rugby Union and Canterbury rugby union team talent identification programs.
Read's provincial breakthrough came with Canterbury rugby union team in the National Provincial Championship where he played alongside notable figures from Canterbury such as players who later joined All Blacks, Crusaders (rugby union) and international clubs. His consistent performances in NPC competition led to selection for the Crusaders (rugby union) in Super Rugby, linking him with coaches who had previous relationships with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), Steve Hansen and Todd Blackadder. At the Crusaders (rugby union) he formed part of a forward pack that included teammates who represented New Zealand national rugby union team, played in Super Rugby Pacific and competed against franchises like Auckland Blues, Wellington Hurricanes and Otago Highlanders. Domestic success saw him collect titles in provincial competition and multiple Super Rugby championships, further attracting interest from overseas clubs in Top 14 and Premiership Rugby before he remained committed to New Zealand pathways.
Read debuted for the All Blacks in 2008 and established himself as a regular test starter across tours to South Africa national rugby union team, England national rugby union team, France national rugby union team and Ireland national rugby union team. He captained the side in the 2016 season and led the squad through test series against Australia national rugby union team (the Bledisloe Cup), South Africa national rugby union team and European tours. Read played crucial roles in multiple Rugby World Cup campaigns, culminating in the 2015 triumph in England and a runner-up finish in 2019 in Japan. He also represented the Māori All Blacks in fixtures that included matches against touring sides from Fiji national rugby union team and national representative teams connected to Pacific Nations Cup fixtures. Read's international career involved encounters with legends from South Africa Springboks, England national rugby union team captains, France national rugby union team coaches and rival forwards from Argentina national rugby union team.
As a number eight and occasional blindside flanker, Read combined attributes associated with acclaimed forwards like endurance seen in Richie McCaw, ball-carrying similar to Zinzan Brooke, and breakdown technique reminiscent of top flankers who featured in Six Nations competition. Analysts compared his influence to captains from South Africa national rugby union team, Australia national rugby union team and European leaders, noting his ability to secure possession at rucks against opponents from Ireland national rugby union team and Wales national rugby union team. His leadership style was likened to successful skippers in Rugby World Cup history and he received individual honours comparable to recipients of awards such as World Rugby Player of the Year and recognition alongside players honored by New Zealand Order of Merit and national sporting bodies. Read's legacy includes influence on subsequent generations who progressed through academies tied to New Zealand Rugby (NZR), pathways linking to Super Rugby Pacific franchises and provincial systems in Canterbury rugby union team and Tasman rugby union team.
After retiring from international rugby, Read transitioned into coaching and mentoring roles within structures associated with New Zealand Rugby (NZR), including positions that engage with development squads, elite academies and club programs affiliated to Crusaders (rugby union), Canterbury rugby union team and regional unions like Tasman rugby union team. He has been involved in ambassadorial duties for charitable organisations connected to sports development and has participated in commentary and analysis alongside broadcasters covering Super Rugby and Rugby World Cup events. Read's post-playing career also includes short-term stints abroad that intersected with professional clubs in competitions similar to Top 14 and Premiership Rugby, consulting on leadership, high-performance environments and talent pathways used by national unions such as Fiji Rugby Union and academies linked to Australian Rugby Union.
Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:New Zealand international rugby union players Category:People from Papakura