Wynne Gray: Read takes his game to a higher level

Kieran Read is a machine without an off button. Photo / Getty Images

He's not Sir Brian Lochore, Mex, Buck or Zinny. But he's getting there.

And Kieran James Read should nudge out his provincial, Super rugby and test colleagues Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn when they dish out the gongs at next month's national awards ceremony.

Some years there has been a bit of a "your turn" look about the decision, a share-it-around judgement. All three nominees this time have legitimate claims to the Kel Tremain silverware.

McCaw won the award last season for the third time and has had another remarkable year, leading the side to just one defeat, so far, after some of the difficulties against France and the Boks last year. His play has been powerful as he has redirected his style to the changing patterns at the breakdown.

Thorn has been remarkable, too, an ironman at 35, showing his younger colleagues how to survive and improve in the international rugby arena and conduct themselves through life.

But Read, after another relentlessly powerhouse display against Ireland yesterday, might just have poked his battle-scarred melon in front for the player of the year.

He's played all 13 tests this year to standards which the best would all applaud. Read is not one for the backhand flicks, dropped goals or other flashy add-ons. His performance is based on workrate.

This bloke is a machine without an off button, his engine seems to rival that of McCaw, though, apparently, when the heat goes on at commando training sessions the All Black captain can still outgun his teammate.

But Read was unstoppable at Dublin's new stadium yesterday and needed to be as his Irish rival, Jamie Heaslip showed what we missed this year when he raked McCaw in New Plymouth and got an early shower.

This was Read's 29th test, which is a fair old output since he was allowed to graduate to the All Blacks two years ago. Allowed is the best description as Read had been the standout player in the Super series in 2008 but Henry and Co thought he needed reconditioning, rather than All Black elevation.

They waited until the end of the year before Read got the international tick. Even then he had to jostle for work and was eased into action on the blindside. It began to change last season as he shared the test No 8 duties with a wearying Rodney So'oialo.

This year, Read has bossed the back of the scrum. He purred through the Tri-Nations without missing a minute as his aggressive approach and powerful running delivered an extra dimension to the loose forward trio.

Where once there was a diffident step or a grasping flail for the ball, Read has moved through this year with the authority of someone who is top of the world heap. His handling has been secure, his decisions from the base of the scrum have been crisp and strong, his power running a concern for defences while his defence has always been a strength.

A couple of tries were icing on his game against Ireland, another against England on this tour gave the All Blacks crucial early momentum.

Tack in Read's ability as a lineout forward, at the tail or front, and his growing leadership authority, and it is easy to see how he has become such a core component of the All Blacks.

There are murmurings about him as an All Black captain-in-waiting. Certainly, if he carries on with his current form, his name will be in the mix when McCaw calls it quits.