All Blacks: Huge test looming for rookie No 8 Read

Kieran Read says he's a bit out of his comfort zone in his new role at the back of the scrum but that's just more motivation to dig deep and show what he's capable of. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It would be hard not to feel some sympathy for Kieran Read if he is seen scratching his head during stoppages in tonight's second test.

No matter his understanding of the No 8's role and his part-time experience, switching from blindside flanker to duties at the boot of the scrum is a huge assignment for the rookie All Black.

Alternating roles is a task which experienced All Blacks like Rodney So'oialo, Mike Brewer and Zinzan Brooke battled with - they were always much more comfortable in a settled job.

But in a move which mirrors some of the thinking last year when So'oialo, Jerome Kaino and Adam Thomson were juggled selections, Read has moved from the blindside role where he earned his All Black spurs, to the back of the scrum in just his third start in five test appearances.

It was a move which found the 23-year-old Read waking during the early part of the week as his mind went through drills, running lines and new manoeuvres he had to absorb for tonight's meeting with the French at the Cake Tin.

"My mind was going over scenarios thinking about what to do in certain plays," he said.

"There has been a lot more homework so it has been harder to switch off. I have done a lot more work on the computers but in the last part of the week it is all about getting the body right and preparing the mind to do what you can do."

Each session, he has noticed the improved combinations with fellow flankers Kaino, Tanerau Latimer and halfback Jimmy Cowan.

He had not been shy about asking for guidance and that had been delivered by Kaino, deposed No 8 from last week Liam Messam and scrum coach Mike Cron.

As you would expect, Read is excited about his change in fortune from the hard labour workaholic department as blindside flanker.

"I think No 8 is a position where you can show more of your skill and have more influence on a game," he said. "You have got to be prepared to try that anyway."

He played No 8 a bit at secondary school, several years at under-21 level, last season in the NPC and some cover in this year's Super 14.

"I really enjoyed the position but it is still a big learning curve because I haven't played it for a while," he said.

And being a No 8 at test level would be another ball game.

"I have just focused on the big change in the scrums and getting that right because that is where you can have a lot more influence and our scrum did not go so well last week," he said.

"The biggest change in the position are the lines you run but apart from that it is similar. I have been doing a lot of work with Jimmy [Cowan] and he has been a strong voice this week."

But Read agreed he had a way to go until he was an instinctive No 8.

"For me I have to be thinking about it this week whereas as a six, I can just do my job and know what I am doing. So I have to think about this a bit more but when it comes down to the test, I can't really afford to be thinking, I have to do a job.

"This week has been about sorting things out, getting my head right and then turning up to play at full bore."

Read has no idea where the selection changes will end and is happy as a young test player to go with the flow.

"If I go well as a No 8, then maybe that will continue. I think I have got a skill set to be able to play well there. But I am happy to be out on the track and I am really looking to having a good game this weekend to show that I can cut it as a No 8 as well.

"I have been encouraged to use my skills, so I have got to back myself and they have been good to me.

"It excites me but I am feeling a bit out of my comfort zone though I don't think that is a bad thing. It makes you work even harder and showcase yourself a bit more and get your hands on the ball."

The first test loss at Carisbrook had left him disappointed because he and his teammates did not give themselves the best chance to win the game.