World Cup will be last ride for All Blacks legend

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has said next year’s World Cup in Japan will be his last ride with the national side.

33-year-old Read is almost certain he’ll take up an overseas contract but is yet to decide where.

Given the age of his young family 2020 is seen as the perfect time for an overseas experience by Read and wife Bridget.

“For me I think it probably won’t be in New Zealand,” Read said off a planned move offshore. “We have always thought as a family that we would like to go overseas and use that experience for the kids. That is probably the main option at the moment.”

Read would like to continue his playing career – likely somewhere in Europe – but had considered the prospect of retiring from all rugby.

“That [retirement] is an option as well,” Read told NZME. “There are plenty of options out there but I probably want to keep playing if I can. It is the experience for the kids that will be the main thing and it has to work for us as a family.

“I hope to have it wrapped up before the start of the season because then you can give 100 per cent because you know what you will be doing.”

Read’s departure will leave the captain’s armband vacant and may change the route Sam Whitelock takes when he returns to New Zealand from their current tour.

Whitelock has captained in Read’s absence five times since November last year.

30-year-old Whitelock is off contract after the 2019 World Cup and is reportedly weighing up a four-year extension with New Zealand Rugby to take him through to the 2023 World Cup.

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