'I can't guarantee we're not going to lose jobs': The real effect COVID-19 had on Kieran Read and Counties Manukau
As Counties Manukau prepared for their 2020 NPC season, nobody could have foreseen the unprecedented circumstances in which the Steelers had to train and play in.
Not only did COVID-19 wreak havoc with pre-season fixtures and force their first few matches of the year to be played in front of empty stands, the pandemic also threatened to financially cripple the entire provincial union.
Speaking exclusively to RugbyPass in the first episode of the three-part Insider Series: Reforging the Steelers documentary series, Counties Manukau chief executive Aaron Lawton revealed the extent of which the union was impacted by the pandemic.
“I think when you work in sport, you have so much uncertainty and things change so much anyway, but this year’s sort of been off the charts in terms of that level of excitement and uncertainty and what’s going on,” Lawton said.
In his first year as the organisation’s chief executive, Lawton faced the prospect of not being able to field a team in New Zealand’s premier domestic competition.
“We sat down with our finance lady and we started to look through the cash flow forecast and go, ‘Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, uh oh’.
“Our mentality here was two things: ensure the union was financially solvent so that we would survive this, and the second thing was to protect our people.
“Our players, they’re employees, they’re part of it, so the sacrifices that they’ve made have also been made by the staff.
“I took them through the financials we were at and I said, ‘Look, we’re going to need to take pay cuts and I can’t guarantee we’re not going to lose some jobs here’.”
Lawton credits the “tribalism” of local sponsors, fans, clubs and players as part of the reason the Steelers were eventually able to take to the field later that year.
“One thing that was really apparent quite early was those core sponsors were like, ‘We’re with you, we’re sticking by you’, and I think the word I look at is tribalism.
“There’s tribalism from your fanbase, your supporters club to your sponsors, even to an extent your clubs and your players.
“There are guys who have accepted a lot less money to play here than their market worth, and they know that and we know that.
“There’s a real sense of purpose and these players want to play for this union.”
13 New Zealand-based players have been named in the latest Manu Samoa squad to face the Maori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July. #ManuSamoa https://t.co/GBwNqxe2Vl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 27, 2021
One of those players was former All Blacks captain Kieran Read, the 127-test loose forward who signed a one-season deal with Counties Manukau after he was forced to return to New Zealand due to the cancellation of the Top League in Japan.
Originally from Papakura, the deal gave Read the chance to represent his home region after more than a decade of service for Canterbury, the Crusaders and the All Blacks.
“I signed with the Counties academy straight out of school, so I would have probably played for the Steelers that year, 2004 it was, but I got injured” Read told RugbyPass.
“I did my ACL right at the start of the year playing for the academy, so I kind of missed that chance that year.
“I ended up going to Canterbury and I guess the rest is history in that respect, in terms of where my career went.
“Papakura is probably where I affiliate with. It’s where I went to school, it’s where I lived til I was 12 or 13.
“I kind of feel like that’s home. It’s where you come back and there’s always memories of childhood.
“Rosehill College, which is in Papakura, is a place where I really loved my high school years, so, for me, it’s definitely kind of that home. When you come back, it always feels familiar.”
Despite the unprecedented circumstances that Counties Manukau had to navigate because of COVID-19, it provided the union and Read with a silver lining that would have otherwise never eventuated.
The first episode of Insider Series: Reforging the Steelers, made in collaboration with Sky Sport NZ, premiers on rugbypass.com and the RugbyPass YouTube channel on Sunday, May 30.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments