Kieran Read

Kieran Read

Birth name	Kieran James Read
Date of birth	(1985-10-26) 26 October 1985
Place of birth	Papakura, New Zealand
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
School	Rosehill College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8/Flanker Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2006– Template:Rut Canterbury 37 (50) Correct as of 28 July 2013 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2007– Template:Rut Crusaders 119 (90) Correct as of 14 June 2015 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2008– New Zealand 82 (100) Correct as of 17 October 2015

Kieran Read (born 26 October 1985) is a rugby union player for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and New Zealand internationally. He was the IRB Player of the Year in 2013, and a member of team that won the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He supplanted Rodney So'oialo as the All Blacks first-choice number 8 in 2009, and can also play blind-side flanker.

Early life

Read was brought up, and played his childhood rugby in the small town of Drury in the Counties Manukau region just south of Auckland. He attended Opaheke Primary (where his mother teaches) as a child, and Rosehill College as a teenager (with a one-year interlude at Saint Kentigern College in 2000 ). Read excelled in all aspects of school life, especially the sports field. At Rosehill, he performed with distinction, gaining top marks all the way through to the end of seventh form. He was Head Boy of the 2000-student school, as well as Sportsman of the Year and Sports All-Rounder of the Year. Read was also a talented cricketer, representing Northern District age group teams and being selected for the New Zealand U17 tournament side in 2002.

Rugby career

Provincial

Many dubbed him as an up-and-coming Black Cap, as his ability as a batsman was just as obviously exceptional as his skills as a rugby player. But Read focused his efforts on rugby, and only one year out of high school, he was selected by the Canterbury R.F.U, and began his professional career in their development squad. Rising quickly through the ranks, Read played his first N.P.C game in 2006, his second year out of college.

Super Rugby

Read proceeded to play for the Crusaders in the Super 14 in 2007, and secured his position as the starting blind-side in the team in 2008.

He first captained the side in 2011, standing in for an injured Richie McCaw. In 2012, Read led the team for their first 10 matches while McCaw was rested. In 2013, another extended rest for McCaw saw Read named captain, although Read he six consecutive games with a toe injury.

All Blacks

Read was first selected for the All Blacks on the end of season tour in 2008, and became a regular first choice selection in 2009. He made his debut against Scotland 8 November 2008.

In 2010 Read was named New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year.

In 2013, he was named captain of the All Blacks in place of Richie McCaw who was on sabbatical.

On 15 June 2013, Read played his 50th test, which coincided with All Blacks 500th test match in the second match of the series between New Zealand and France at AMI Stadium. All Blacks won the match 30-0, and secured the series win with a match to play. That year Read claimed rugby's top honour in the IRB Player of the Year.

Honours

IRB Player of the Year (1) ; 2013

Personal life

Read is married to Bridget Read (née Funnell). They have two daughters.

External links

• Kieran Read at AllBlacks.com
• Crusaders profile
• ESPN Profile