Good news for Crusaders as Read declared fit for match
All Blacks captain returns from back surgery for clash against Hurricanes on Friday
Wellington — There was some good news for the Canterbury Crusaders after a difficult 10 days on Monday when All Blacks captain Kieran Read was declared available to play in Friday’s crunch Super Rugby match against the Wellington Hurricanes. The reigning champions lost for the first time in a year when they went down 20-12 to the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday in a match where the 50 victims of the March 15 mosque shootings in their home city of Christchurch were remembered. Back-row powerhouse Read, who missed the start of the last Super Rugby season after back surgery, has not played since the All Blacks’ November 2018 tour of Europe as he rests up for a season that will climax with the World Cup defence in Japan. “He’s trained really well,” assistant coach Jason Ryan told the New Zealand Herald on Monday. “He’s been unbelievable for us off the field in getting the boys ready to play each week. He’s on his toes, he’s fresh and he’s looking forward to it. If he gets an opport...
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