Northern | US

Japan-bound Read explains snubbing Europe move

All Blacks captain Kieran Read during Rugby Championship match against Argentina. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Comments
Comment

New Zealand captain Kieran Read revealed that being closer to home and having a less hectic schedule were his main reasons for snubbing European clubs in favour of a move to Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was announced on Wednesday that Crusaders number eight Read will end his All Blacks career after the Rugby World Cup and join Toyota Verblitz next year.

Read had been linked with Top 14 heavyweights Racing 92 and a move to England, but felt a switch to the Top League was his best option.

“With three kids and a family it is a lot closer to home,” Read said. “And for my age, and my body, in terms of the amount of footy you play there compared to Europe and the UK. They are probably the main reasons.”

He added: “It was reasonably straightforward. There were different options, but I just really sat down and looked at all the different aspects of making a decision – it really stood out, I guess, in terms of Japan and the Toyota club as well.

“It offered something pretty unique to be there and enjoy a slice of Japan life.”

The two-time World Cup winner knows it will be tough when the time comes to depart after so many years at the top with the All Blacks and Crusaders.

“I think it is always hard leaving a place that I have been a part of for a number of years, 13 years or so. So that will be hard when I get to that point,” said the 2013 World Rugby Player of the Year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Right now, to be honest, it’s just a decision being made and I am sure when we get to the end of the season with the Crusaders and All Blacks there will be different emotions coming on then.

“I enjoy what I do and I love what New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders have given me in that time.”

Get the RugbyPass App 📱

Follow the biggest matches with live scores, line-ups, news and analysis, all in the RugbyPass App.

Download Here
On Apple IOS, Android, and Tablet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

P
Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



...

18 Go to comments
Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close