Kieran Read draws inspiration from Jonah Lomu
The world champions yesterday honoured their former wing, rugby’s first true superstar, on the first anniversary of his death, at the age of 40, from a heart attack caused by his long battle with a kidney disease.
Read admitted he faced the biggest challenge of his captaincy today as his team attempt to rebound from the first loss under his year-long leadership reign, having succeeded Richie McCaw after the 2015 World Cup success.
Lomu’s memory will be a motivating factor, as will thoughts of New Zealanders back home still coming to terms with a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck six days ago.
“We have spoken about it as a group. He is one of our legends in this All Black environment and family. We feel for his family at this time of the year,” Read said of Lomu.
“It is one thing that provides extra motivation for the group, playing for him and his family. There are other things at home as well. The earthquake is on a lot of the guys’ minds as well. The best way we can (pay tribute) is to go out and perform on the pitch.”
Read spoke of the inspiration he took from Lomu, whom he first saw playing at Pukekohe Stadium in the Auckland hinterland, lining out for Counties Manukau.
“He is the reason why I play footy. I grew up in the area where he was from and played his footy. I went to watch him every weekend, so a massive inspiration for me and a lot of the guys. He is more a legend of what he did on the pitch, but for me it was his smile and everything he did off it that was so great.”
Having become the first All Blacks captain to lose to Ireland in 111 years of test rugby between the two countries, No8 Read admitted today’s game, coming two weeks after the 40-29 loss in Chicago represents his toughest test as a skipper.
“Certainly the loss magnifies this game and puts it into a massive perspective so we know the challenge that’s ahead and the guys have prepared really well. What we can’t do is suddenly change everything we’ve done this year. We’ve got a good recipe. Coming off a loss, it’s the first time I’ve done that, so there’s a different mindset, but this is what you play this game for. These moments, these stadiums against the top teams in the world, I can’t wait for it.”
Meanwhile, respected New Zealand Herald columnist Wynne Gray believes Read and co face a massive test of their credentials today.
In his pre-match column, he wrote: “This is the most pressure the All Blacks have faced for some time, even more than the burden and tension about claiming the World Cup last year.
“They were always going to beat the Wallabies in the decider, which doubled as a farewell for decorated captain Richie McCaw and his colleagues. That same confidence is not as easy to gather about their chances. The pressure and emotion in Chicago will feel like window-shopping compared to the hullabaloo which has engulfed rugby followers all week in Dublin while there are misgivings about a few All Blacks.”
