This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On the eve of his final match, Kieran Read, the All Blacks' legendary number eight, revealed his desire to sign off with a memorable drop goal. However, his plans may be foiled by a nagging injury that has him fearing his leg might fall off.
Read, who will captain the All Blacks for the 52nd and last time, has been a stalwart of the team, earning a reputation as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. His farewell appearance against Wales in the third-place playoff will be a poignant moment, especially given the team's disappointing exit from the World Cup.
Reflecting on the team's loss to England, Read acknowledged the pain and disappointment that still lingered. 'It's been a weird few days,' he said, 'It does require a bit of strength, knowing it's the game we didn't want to be in. We're hurting and will be hurting for a long time to come.'
Despite the emotional toll, Read remains committed to his team and has praised coach Steve Hansen for his leadership and guidance. 'He pushed me to better myself as a player,' Read said. 'He's a world-class operator and is what this team represents.'
As Read prepares to bid farewell to the All Blacks, he is confident that the team will bounce back from their experience in Japan. 'The group of men we've got are so committed to the All Blacks,' he said. 'They know what it means to be an All Black - I think we're in good hands.'
