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Crusaders welcome back Read for historic Sunwolves clash

New Zealand and Crusaders forward Kieran Read

New Zealand captain Kieran Read will make his Super Rugby return on Friday when Crusaders face Japanese franchise Sunwolves for the first time.

Read made his comeback from wrist surgery last weekend in a club rugby match for University in Christchurch, the number eight playing 40 minutes of the 60-11 win over Linwood.

The 31-year-old has been limited to a watching brief in Crusaders’ opening six matches of the 2017 season, but will finally take to the field in round seven – which will also provide a welcome boost for the All Blacks ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour.

Crusaders also have Seta Tamanivalu (hamstring), Jack Goodhue (calf) and Richie Mo’unga (hand) back in action as they look to maintain their 100 per cent record so far, Scott Robertson’s team having won all six matches – scoring 188 points along the way.

Read will be joined in the pack by Wyatt Crockett on his record 176th Super Rugby appearance, surpassing the previous best set by Keven Mealamu.

“Crocky is the epitome of what we describe around here as a ‘Crusaders man’,” said Robertson.

“Values like loyalty, team first, integrity and work ethic are central to what we ask of our players, and these are all qualities that come as second nature to Wyatt.

“It is entirely appropriate that we are celebrating him becoming the most capped Super Rugby player ever, because you simply would not find a player who shows more commitment, dependability and passion for his team than Wyatt Crockett.”

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Nickers 25 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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