This weekend’s match against Taranaki will be the last for two-time World Cup winning number eight Kieran Read.
The former All Blacks captain will head off to Japan to continue his contract with professional club Toyota Verblitz having completed his cameo with his hometown province this Mitre 10 Cup season.
Having returned home once the COVID pandemic hit in Japan, Read was able to take up a short-term contract with the PIC Steelers for the Mitre 10 Cup with Toyota’s blessing.
Although results haven’t been there, Read’s impact has been immense, and he was hands down the best player on the field in the loss to Wellington on Sunday.
PIC Steelers coach Tai Lavea has been grateful to have the opportunity to work with Read over the past couple of months.
“I am quite lost for words around what he has contributed,” Lavea said. “It is just his presence. He just makes the game look simple.
“He has been great for the players and great for the coaching staff. I know he has brought a lot of pride back into the Union.
“We have loved every minute of it and hopefully we can send him out with a good performance against Taranaki.”
Read grew up in the Counties Manukau area, playing for the Drury club and Rosehill College before he headed south to link up with Canterbury and the Crusaders.
He signed with Counties Manukau in 2018 but finally got to represent the Union he grew up supporting this year.
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