All Blacks: Read confirms role in top trio

Kieran Read says he wants to be a great player and have an impact on the game. Photo / Greg Bowker

Read, McCaw and Kaino. Sounds like a legal firm, but they are the All Black enforcers, the loose trio who have formed a powerful bond.

They certainly outpointed their Springbok rivals again in the 31-17 second Tri-Nations test victory in Wellington, adding to their reputation as a balanced and complementary set of All Black loose forwards.

A couple of years ago, the All Blacks ignored Kieran Read, suggesting he needed a rest rather than selection after an impressive Super 14 series.

The 24-year-old has now played 21 internationals and even those who support the provincial side in the capital would have to agree Read has sailed past Rodney So'oialo.

Remember him? Figured in 62 tests through to the end of last year before his frame could not stay with his willpower.

Read appears with bark missing from both cauliflowered ears and his nose, weekly war wounds for the mildly spoken No 8 who outshone his more highly touted Springbok rival Pierre Spies in both tests.

"He's certainly played well, there is no doubt about that," forwards coach Steve Hansen said. "We've thought he's been a test No 8 from the get-go. He has just got better and better and I think what we are seeing now are world-class performances and he is certainly a rock in the side."

All sorts of over-excited praise swirled around the All Blacks camp during the week, such as the glowing commendations about new wing Rene Ranger. He had some strong moments on Saturday night, but handling and positional difficulties marred his first start.

Test rugby is a tough arena, one which takes players time to adjust to, and Read is making that transition strongly. He was sore after the game but glowing about the All Blacks' work.

They had a plan and stuck to it, while the Boks were far more physical, especially around the rucks, than they had been at Eden Park. A week's rest would be welcome.

"I'm trying to get my positioning right and being effective when I get the ball," he said. "I've always wanted to be No 8 and I think a few years ago I was more inclined to think I was a No 6, but I have adapted to this and love it and want to stay there."

He said No 8 was a great position to get your hands on the ball, work on combinations with his halfback and also drop back to assist the back three in defence and carrying the ball forward.

When he first switched to the back of the scrum, Read was nervous about the extra pressures of handling the ball more. But he had matured as a ball-running loosie and felt the added duties had developed his game.

"There are lots of good players around you in the All Blacks and I am blessed to have a couple of very good players with me in the loose trio," he said. "I have gone up a notch, too. I had to. I want to be a great player and have an impact on the game, so I have to make sure I get myself mentally ready to do that."

The All Black forward ferocity and their offensive tackling and athleticism was too potent for the Tri-Nations champions. The Boks have much to ponder about the longevity of some of their pack and their playing patterns.

All Black skipper Richie McCaw would not take the bait about any of the Boks being past their use-by date. He preferred to think the difference between the two sides was in the preparation.

His Springbok opposite, John Smit, said home wins in the series were non-negotiable and securing the title began when you got on the plane. His side has a chance for an away win this weekend in Brisbane before the All Blacks start the travelling part of their campaign.

All Black fullback Mils Muliaina starred again in just his second test back from a long layoff. He also got a reminder about his understudy's talents as Israel Dagg claimed a superb individual try with a goose-step shimmy, body swerve and pace to gas a clutch of defenders. "He is starting to really blossom. I rate him highly - he is keeping me on my toes, and what he did tonight was outstanding."

Muliaina sprinted away for an early try after Piri Weepu's snipe, and gassed the Bok chasers. "There's still a bit of speed in these old legs, I think, but when you see the tryline in sight I was just running flat out," he said.

He felt the Boks could survive in the Tri-Nations with their gameplan. They had created pressure in the air and with more ball movement Muliaina felt they would improve a lot more and be very tough in South Africa.

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Springbok winger Jean de Villiers was yesterday suspended for two weeks for a dangerous lifting tackle on Rene Ranger.