Rugby: All Blacks legend Kieran Read announces retirement
15 May, 2021 09:45 PM
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Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has officially retired from rugby.
The 35-year-old confirmed this week that he d be ending his career at the conclusion of the Japanese season.
And a semifinal defeat for his Toyota Verblitz side against the Panasonic Wild Knights has seen him hang up the boots.
The Verblitz went down 48-21 in the semifinal with Read playing the entire 80 minutes in his final game.
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Read made 127 appearances for the All Blacks over 11 years, including 52 as captain, before retiring from test rugby following the 2019 World Cup.
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“I’m excited to be getting back into Super Rugby next year and returning to NZ with my family to live,” Bird said in a statement. “We’ve enjoyed our time with Racing Metro in France, and I feel like I’ve been playing some of my best rugby up there, but now is the right time to return home. I’m looking forward to testing myself again in Super Rugby and adding huge value to the Hurricanes in 2022.”
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Dominic Bird of Racing 92 wins possession of a lineout ahead of Paul Boyle of Connacht.