Kieran Read wants to be at the helm of the All Blacks when they pursue a hat-trick of Rugby World Cup titles.
The world-class forward surprised nobody when announcing on Wednesday the extension of his New Zealand Rugby contract through to 2019, when Japan will host the sport’s showpiece.
Read, who succeeded the retired Richie McCaw after the 2015 triumph, will turn 34 during the next tournament.
The most-capped All Blacks No.8 is recovering from a broken thumb and, if fit, will raise 100 caps in the third Test against the touring British and Irish Lions on July 8.
Read’s contract – expected to be among the most lucrative in New Zealand – is likely to include provisions such as a sabbatical to help his longevity, with injury having started to make an impact.
Read made his announcement at his former Rosehill College in Papakura, where he was born.
He revealed he will switch allegiance back to Counties Manukau, where he played all of his junior rugby before joining provincial powerhouses Canterbury in 2006.
Read, who will remain on the books of the Crusaders, thanked Canterbury for their role in his development.
He said the Counties Manukau region is “where my heart lies” and is set to shift north with his wife Bridget and three young children.
“It was important for me to come full circle and sign with the province where it all started and hopefully give something back to the community I love,” Read said.
He has played just 128 minutes this year, in three Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders in April, having returned late from off-season wrist surgery.
A thumb fracture suffered against the Cheetahs four weeks ago required surgery in Bloemfontein and leaves him in a race to be fit for the Lions series.
Read is the 20th All Black to commit to 2019 or beyond.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
Great Province that Counties Manukau region. I remember as a kid when trekking across the ditch with me old man, we'd watch a few games of NPC and the mercurial Bruce Robertson. What a player, and as we all know and seen over the past few decades, the world has given us a plethora of awesome centres but Bruce was something else. He and Danie Gerber from the Republic were nothing short of awesome and would look right at home in today's game. Good on him for heading back to where it all started.
moaman
Guest
My son and I were chatting today about a theoretical North-South game and who would comprise the sides....be an interesting exercise.
Kelefua
Guest
Great news for ABs. Probaby won't play much if at all for Counties but at least the club can say they have the AB captain on their roster... hike in sponsors/player numbers for sure.
Kelefua
Guest
Champion seagull with alot of coin:)
Old Bugger
Guest
And a wealthy one too.....
ClarkeG
Guest
The initial point made was Read slipped through the Blues fingers. Hardly the case because he left the region to attend University in ChCh. Same with Goodhue. He attended school in Auckland and then attended University in ChCh. So the point is that it can not be claimed that Read and Goodhue have slipped past the Blues simply because they attended school in the region.
richard
Guest
Goodhue is originally from Whangarei.He is a Northland,not an Auckland lad.
ClarkeG
Guest
He went to Canterbury University didn't he? And got selected to play for Canterbury. Goodhue future All Black for sure.
cuw
Guest
quite a big one at that :P
taylorman
Roar Guru
Probably not, but if he trained at the right club we could say we finally have greatness north of the Bombay hills once again! Perhaps itll rub off??
cuw
Guest
well , all the best to BLUES going up against Chiefs with " I am the new Wayne Barnes " Gardener !!! lets hope some one has better stereo vision at least from the lines . Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Faauli, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Mitchell Brown, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Solomon Alaimalo 23 Shaun Stevenson Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 George Moala, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 TJ Faiane Date: Friday, May 26 Venue: Eden Park, Auckland Kick-off: 19:35 local (07:35 GMT) Referee: Angus Gardner Assistant Referees: Nick Briant, Angus Mabey TMO: Glenn Newman
Machooka
Roar Guru
The guy's a seagull!
cuw
Guest
from the bench?
Old Bugger
Guest
Yes Tman but, will he ever play for them.....??
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well at least he's got three seasons with Counties Manukau...that will be fun...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hmm...couple of points on that Cuw...one, that's true.?
cuw
Guest
err , how? becoz he went to school in Auckland? well then ur gonna lose another future all black - Jack Goodhue.
cuw
Guest
well that is the same problem with BLUES :P counting
WQ
Guest
Was there ever any doubt?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
That's three?