Kieran Read set for Crusaders return
All Black's Kieran Read at the ground before the the tour match between Crusaders and British and Irish Lions at the AMI Stadium, Christchurch. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 10, 2017. See PA story RUGBYU Lions. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use or obscuring of sponsor logos.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read has been cleared to play for the Crusaders in their New Zealand Super Rugby derby against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday.
The number eight has not played during the first six rounds of Super Rugby but was back at training for the Crusaders in Christchurch on Monday following their 20-12 defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan that the 34-year-old is set to return to action this weekend.
“He’s available for selection,” Ryan told TVNZ.
“His back’s feeling good, he’s been good mentally as well, which is important.”
The loss to the Waratahs ended a 19-match winning run for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and Read will be joined by fly-half Richie Mo’unga and second-row Scott Barrett, who missed the nine-time champions’ trip to Sydney due to the enforced All Black rest protocols.