A homecoming for All Black's captain Kieran Read
It's a welcomed return home for All Black's captain Kieran Read who will play in his first match back from injury for Counties Manukau this afternoon.
All Black Captain Kieran Read at his old High School Rosehill College in Papakura Photo: Photosport Ltd www.photosport.nz
No one was more surprised than Counties Manukau head coach Darryl Suasua to receive a phone call from the All Blacks captain Kieran Read asking for a chance to play for his home province.
The team's surprise and excitement came at a close second when Suasua broke the news to them by writing Read's name down as part of their line-up on a whiteboard at training.
"The chance to play with an All Blacks captain is huge, we are delighted to have him here playing for Counties where he grew up and where it all started." says Suasua
"the boys saw Read's name written down as the number eight and I guess a lot of them are sort of thinking is this really going to happen?"
The team are in two minds because South Auckland-born Read hasn't been to a training session or met them due to promotional obligations around the country.
The coaching staff have been keeping in regular contact with Read discussing plays and strategies which they feel Read will seamlessly fit into tomorrow afternoon at Manurewa Rugby Club against the Tasman Buccaneers.
"Talking over the phone Grant Hansen who is our forward coach has sent out little video clips of all the lineouts that we'll be doing." says Suasua
"He will be coming up here without training without training with the boys but with his experience he'll pick it up quite quickly."
With Mitre 10 Cup contracts up for grabs Read's presence means no one is missing out with final selections yet to be determined.
After back injury side-lined Read since December it will be a gradual inclusion, only expected to play 40 minutes and if anything Suasua is hoping the 'Read experience' will inspire his team both on and off the field.
"one of the halfbacks Jess Pascoe last year played for De La Salle College now to turn up tomorrow to potentially play right next to the All Blacks captain is huge." says Suasua
"what he brings to the whole region is just huge."
- RNZ
