Kieran Read

Kieran Read was born on October 26, 1985, in Papakura, Auckland, New Zealand. A talented cricketer who represented New Zealand Under-17, Read chose rugby, joining the Canterbury provincial team in 2006 and the Crusaders Super Rugby franchise in 2007. With his immense athletic work rate, lineout leaping ability, offloading skills, and defensive leadership, Read redefined the modern Number 8 position, leading the Crusaders to four Super Rugby titles (2008, 2017, 2018, 2019).

Making his All Blacks debut against Scotland in November 2008, Read earned 127 test caps over an eleven-year international career (the third-most in All Blacks history). He played every minute of the knockout rounds in the All Blacks' 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph in New Zealand, and was an unstoppable force in the All Blacks' 2015 Rugby World Cup victory at Twickenham, becoming one of only 21 players to win two World Cups. In 2013, he was named World Rugby Player of the Year after leading the All Blacks to an unprecedented perfect 14-0 undefeated international season. Appointed full-time All Blacks captain in 2016 following McCaw's retirement, Read captained the side in 52 tests, winning 43 (an astounding 83% win rate). He was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2020.