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The Hurricanes, Chiefs and Blues are all jockeying for position at the top of the Super Rugby table with the Crusaders hard on their heels.
If Kieran Read is right, it looks like we’re in for a cracking lead-up to the playoffs.
“It’s been good, some great rugby being played, especially from the Hurricanes who have been bloody outstanding,” he says. “It’s tough to call, [because it’s close at the top] but you can’t write the Crusaders off either.”
While Read is now right at home in Christchurch, he paid a recent visit to Franklin to catch up with mates and star at a product launch at the New Zealand Bed Company’s Pukekohe store.
Rising from Papakura grassroots, this former Rosehill College First XV ace played the majority of his career for Canterbury in the NPC and the Crusaders in Super Rugby.
In 2008, Read captained Canterbury to victory in the (then) Air New Zealand Cup which helped kick off an All Black career spanning 11 years during which he collected 127 caps.
However, his Steelers swansong remains a highlight for the former All Black captain.
“I cheer for Counties in the NPC, for sure. I played one season, five games, for the Steelers at the end of my career – it was really great to come home to play,” he says.
“I support Counties because that’s where my roots are. I remember all those years going to Pukekohe when I was growing up and seeing some great players on the field. Playing in the NPC feels like you’re on that team that you grew up watching.”
Although he admits his allegiances may be split somewhat at provincial level, when it comes to Super Rugby, unfortunately, Read’s yet to be swayed to cheer for Franklin’s official ‘home team.’
“No way I can cheer for the Chiefs, no way!” he laughs. “I’m red and black through and through. I played for the Crusaders for so long, and we live down there so the Crusaders are still my team in Super Rugby.”
Moana Pasifika – a bridge too far?
While it’s tight at the top of the Super Rugby table, Moana Pasifika has sunk to the bottom and recent bad news appears to have further taken the wind back out of their sails.
Coached by Tana Umaga, a former Counties player and coach, Moana Pasifika has been ruled out of next year’s tournament.
Said to be (primarily) for financial reasons, the Auckland-based team’s withdrawal marks a sad moment for the sport.
“Yeah, it’s very sad for Moana Pasifika. There’s just so much potential in the Pacific nations and among Pacific Island people in south Auckland. New Zealand Rugby needs to support that.”
Largely intended to create better pathways for Pasifika players, the franchise called Mount Smart Stadium, Penrose, home before moving to North Harbour Stadium.
The team may have found a stronger fan base had it been based in south Auckland, Read believes.
“I think Counties had to be the right place for them,” he says. “It didn’t make sense for a Pacifica team to be playing on the North Shore, it just didn’t feel right.”
Should another such team look for a home ground, Pukekohe’s Navigation Homes Stadium could be the perfect choice.
“You see how much talent is coming through here, but there are so many challenges with competing sports. Rugby has to retain a strong foothold because it’s still very important to the community.”
