Read to lead All Blacks

Read to lead All Blacks

15 Nov 2012

Kieran Read will captain the All Blacks for the first time when they play Italy on Saturday.

Read replaces Richie McCaw, who will be rested. Read is also expected to assume the reins at the Crusaders and All Blacks in 2013 when McCaw takes a six-month sabbatical.

Coach Steve Hansen has made 14 changes to the side that smashed Scotland 51-22 last week. An entirely new pack will start in Rome this weekend, while Julian Savea is the only survivor from the backline that started in Edinburgh.

All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Ali Williams, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Cory Jane.


76 Comments

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  • 1.Brads: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 09:37 am

    This will be interesting.

    Win or lose it will answer a lot of questions about the depth of NZ rugby.

  • 2.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 09:43 am

    i really dislike this guy, a lot.
    cannot stand his smug orc face at all.

    also his behaviour leaves much to be desired.

  • 3.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 09:56 am

    best 8 in the world currently…

  • 4.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 09:58 am

    picamoles was a beast vs the aussies ladt week though & to think we’ve had to suffer spies for 5 years :cry:

  • 5.aliboy: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 10:03 am

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-2: I am sure that the feeling would be very mutual if he actually gave a damn what thoughts came from your latest batch of bad drugs.

  • 6.Brads: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 10:09 am

    This team looks more potent than the outfit that fronted at Edinburgh.

    Read is being talked up as the next AB captain to take over from McCaw, but I suspect he will have a while to go before he gets the opportunity.

    If that happens it will make me happy, if for no other reason than the chagrin it will generate in all the frustrated McCaw enviest’s.

  • 7.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:30 am

    Italy should dominate at scrumtime

    Italy by 3

  • 8.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:33 am

    @Transformation-4:

    Imoul Hardounay (sp?) is the Best 8 in world IMO..but Read in great form

  • 9.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:35 am

    This is the backline+Weepu that the Hurricanes could have had if they’d stayed together. With Andre Taylor another option at the back. Not bad.

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-2: I’m looking forward to your assessment of Sam Cane and whether he has mastered the art of cheating yet or still needs some work. Although the games are all on at the same time this weekend.

  • 10.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:48 am

    @greatest13gerber-7:

    You will of course be putting money on your prediction G13G?

    Somehow I think not.

    ;)

  • 11.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:50 am

    @gonzo-9:

    Good point gonzo.

  • 12.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:53 am

    @greatest13gerber-8: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe tops that list at the moment. Followed by Sergio Parisse and then one of the Frenchies – both Harinordequy and Picomoles are great.

  • 13.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:57 am

    @katman-12:

    ****.

  • 14.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 11:58 am

    @cane-13: I don’t speak asterisk, pilgrim. Let’s have that again in a popular dialect.

  • 15.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:00 pm

    @cane-13:

    OOOOps.

    cr ap is a moderated word it seems.

  • 16.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:01 pm

    @cane-13: Sorry, forgot about Read. He comes in at 8, after Vermeulen, Heaslip and Faletau. Solid player. You guys can be proud.

  • 17.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:04 pm

    @katman-16:

    Even you don’t believe that Jackalman.

    ;)

  • 18.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:07 pm

    @cane-17: Oh, I believe it like a muthafcker. Don’t you doubt that for a nanosecond, caner. Read is the definitive journeyman.

    Do you think he’s Zinzan Brooke? Or Michael Jones?

    I know it might feel unnatural, but try to be honest.

  • 19.Finfan: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:08 pm

    AB captains are chosen based on their cheating, not leadership, ability.

  • 20.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:16 pm

    its funny, read is a journeyman apparently, but of all the 8s listed by so many saffas, hes one of the few with a World cup winners medal..

    but i definitely am loving the sour grapes coming out of the republic…

    about right for a mediocre test nation with a 50% win record this season..

  • 21.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:18 pm

    @gonzo-9:
    sorry Gonzo, i cannot stand the nz rugby team and do not in any way enjoy watching them play, at all. the time i ever make an exception is when the boks are playing, because its the boks.

    i dont like their rugby and do not expect to start liking it anytime soon.

    the ozzies unfortunately are going down the same it seems of late and i may stop watching them too. their lame adoption of your blocking/obstruction technique and the repeat usage thereof is really irritating i find.

  • 22.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:20 pm

    @gonzo-9:
    so in short, i will not be able to give you a detailed assesment of his cheating unless its one of the two times nz play the boks and of course if he is playing.

  • 23.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm

    gonzo

    read bakkies post as that of a sore loser..

    12 victories over us in 20 years, no wonder they are clutching at any and every thing…

    its cause their team is useless…end of..

  • 24.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm

    @poppa69-20: Bobby Skinstadt also has one of those. And your point is?

  • 25.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:21 pm

    @katman-18:

    Yes.

  • 26.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:22 pm

    @katman-24:
    :mrgreen:

  • 27.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:24 pm

    @Finfan-19:

    And Springboks Captains are chosen on what………………………………..The rectangular shape of their heads?

  • 28.corporal punishment: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:26 pm

    Read is the best no8 in the world at present. He is certainly the best we have had since Zinzan in his time To me, read is a very similar player to juan smith. Very fast, great skills, and tough as nails in defence. Pity smiths career has been hit so badly by injury.

    Although there are some other good 8′s around, including the frenchies mentioned above, I don’t think any of them are the alround players and consistent performers that Read and a smith are. Those two are in a class in their own IMHO.

    Vermuelan? Too slow.

    If he was bigger an if he played 8, Francois LOWE would be a similar sort of player. Very constructive playing style.

  • 29.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm

    @cane-27: only having 2 knuckles that drag on the ground..

    theyre seen as advanced in SA society,.,.

  • 30.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:28 pm

    @cane-25: I see your Yes and I raise you a Bullshit.

  • 31.corporal punishment: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:33 pm

    @poppa23, yes what has rattled their cages? Maybe they have been upset by all the praise that has been heaped on the AB’s for the way they beat Scotland?

    The AB play in the first half was sublime. The speed at which they cleared the ruck and The speed and accuracy of the passing and offloading was breathtaking.

    Bakkies is really missing out on a rugby lessen with his policy of not watching the AB’s. although our defence was a bit shabby, they gave an attacking master class that other teams will be copying for years to come.

  • 32.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:37 pm

    @cane-10:

    ofcouse not but I know they will back themselves against that Black front row.

    Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has being great this year.
    Must be up there for player of the year

  • 33.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:38 pm

    @corporal punishment-31: wait until they lose to scotland this weekend… the Scots know they can beat them, and will be smarting from last weekend..

    Bravehearts by 7..

  • 34.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:41 pm

    @katman-30:

    Over the last two years, Read has been the best forward, and most likely the best player. full stop. In the best Team in the World.

    Yes………………………………………said it all.

    ;)

    Duane……………………………..are you crazy. Have you been living among the Weepees too long. You are getting too much oxygen down there katman.

    Get yourself back to the thin air before it’s too late.

  • 35.corporal punishment: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:42 pm

    @ poppa 33: the boks have picked close to their strongest side, while it might an arm wrestle the boks should get thru.

    I don’t know where gerbil gets the idea this is a weak front row. 200 caps between woody and kevvie, and Charlie is no slouch not that it matters because we will still win with our scrum going backwards.

  • 36.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:42 pm

    @poppa69-33:

    Now Popps……………………………………………you are just being farking ridiculous.

    Crofters by 6.

  • 37.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:48 pm

    @cane-36: nah, it will be two whole weeks away from their mummies, we know the big bad saffa boys struggle with that..

    its why they are only playing 3 tests up north this year, less games to lose..

  • 38.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:52 pm

    @poppa69-37:

    It would be nice if Scotland won.
    Good for THE GAME.

    And it must be said, I do love a humble Saffa.

  • 39.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 12:53 pm

    @cane-38: Ive never met one tbh…

    they have an entitlement thingy going on by believing they are the best rugby nation in the world…

    when theyre so plainly not..

  • 40.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:11 pm

    @poppa69-39:

    They never have been Popps.

    We have always had a better Test average than them. Against All Comers.

    Only biased / cheating / corrupt Refs in matches played in SA kept them in the frame at all.

    Neutral Refs soon put a stop to that nonsense……………………………………………………..then the whining began……………………….and has never ceased since.

    Cup your ear to the west Popps,
    you can hear the whine on the edge of the Pacific Rim when atmospheric conditions are right.

  • 41.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:15 pm

    @katman-12: Have agree with cane, Read is the best #8, not on ability but on pure form he has been the best for the last three years now.

  • 42.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:16 pm

    @cane-38: A humble sheep lover is better :)

  • 43.goodstuff: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:17 pm

    @poppa69-37: We aren’t as cash strapped that we need to put more strain on our players. :)

  • 44.ufo: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:19 pm

    sorry…

    just can’t get worked up about this player… the only all black player ever that i simply do not like…

    i just don’t believe he fits the same strong leadership tower-of-strength bill of all black captains past…

    let’s hope richie plays on for another 10 years… :wink:

    juan martin fernandez lobbe the current form number 8 in the world…

    by some distance….

  • 45.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:19 pm

    @cane-40: so it emanates from the cape of good no hopers?

    a mixture of trade winds and the crying souls of flying dutchmen?

  • 46.cane: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:26 pm

    @goodstuff-42:

    True enough. We all benefit from a good dose of humility every once in while.

    ;)

  • 47.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:30 pm

    I’m a Kieran groupie. Yes, I said it.
    Your old school, hard as nails fella with some new school skill to boot.
    Where he leads, players will follow.
    And yes, he might not have Richie’s marketing appeal, but he has that “Braveheart” sh y te going, and that’s far more valuable to the team IMHO.

  • 48.katman: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:30 pm

    @cane-46: How would you know? It’s never happened to you lot before?

  • 49.HongKongSlong: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:34 pm

    @Transformation-3: The best 8 is actually his direct opponent Sergio Parise captain and 8 of Italy (unless he’s injured haven’t seen the Italian team) unfortuantely he plays for Italy, so never gets the recognition he deserves.

  • 50.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    15 Nov 2012, 13:41 pm

    Time for Vermulen to step it up I think.

    Personally, I think he’s a blindsider not an 8.

    If you think of the quality 8s around, Parisse, Picamolles, Read, Denton, even Lobbe when he plays there, etc, Vermulen really doesnt cut it.
    Not a classic no 8.

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