Rugby: Read suits up for Canterbury

All Blacks forward Kieran Read will start at No 8 for Canterbury in Friday night's clash with Waikato. Photo / Getty Images

Kieran Read will play for Canterbury in their Air NZ Cup rugby match against Waikato on Friday night, the returning All Black slotting in at No 8 for their first home match of the 2009 season.

All Blacks forward Read replaces Mike Coman in the only change to the side who beat Auckland 22-16 last weekend.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney was impressed by Coman on debut but said Read's claims were hard to ignore.

"It's great to have Reado back for us. He's a quality player and has the ability to slot straight back into the environment very effectively," Penney said.

"Mike got a late call-up to the team and played fantastically for us. His work-rate and defensive abilities were right up there as we knew they would be."

- NZPA