Steve Hansen pays tribute to Kieran Read

Former All Black head coach Steve Hansen has paid tribute to Kieran Read in the wake of the latter’s announcement of retirement. 

Hansen coached the All Blacks from 2011-2019 and cultivated a strong relationship with Read whom he mentored during the best years of his career.

“The only number eight you could compare him with from the modern game would probably be Zinny (Zinzan Brooke), I think,’’ Hansen told Stuff. 

“Reado was a great defender, a ball runner, a passer. The last couple of years, his (injured) back limited him with his running out wide, but prior to that when he was carrying he was just unstoppable.’ 

“He wasn’t just an All Black – he was a great All Black,’’ Hansen added. “I think all the great All Blacks have a threshold for pain, they have to play sometimes when they are sore. 

“I don’t think people will understand how crippling the back (injury) was, and we had to nurse that to get him through to the end of his career. 

“But he moulded it (his style of play) and changed things a little bit and used himself a little bit differently, and was still able to be a massive contributor. 

“He was the complete rugby player. He was just a joy to watch. When he was in full flight, wow, what a rugby player. 

“Taking over after someone like McCaw, that made it doubly hard. But he did it with ease and led the team superbly. 

“He (Read) always wanted to lead his own way. Which, I think, is 100 per cent the way you can do it. He never tried to be somebody else. He always tried to be Reado.’’