Kieran Read draws inspiration from Jonah Lomu

A rampaging, awe-inspiring influence on the field, the late Jonah Lomu will fuel New Zealand fires once more when Kieran Read leads the All Blacks on their revenge mission against Ireland in Dublin this evening.

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.