Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read 'not really keen' to return to Japan; admits playing days could be over

By Christopher Reive, NZ Herald

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has admitted he's unlikely to return to Japan this season despite the Top League rugby competition working to return in the coming months.

The 128-cap All Black, who signed with Toyota Verblitz on a two-year deal through to the end of the 2021 season, was back in New Zealand this week, and told Radio Sport's Jim Kayes he had no interest in returning to Japan while the coronavirus pandemic was still prominent.

"Nah, not really," he said. "Not in the current climate and with everything going on, I just want to be here with my family.

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"It definitely won't be for me this season. They're looking at playing in May which I just don't see happening when they've cancelled an event that is over four months away in the Olympics.

"I think I'll be at home until we actually know how this thing's going to play out, which I think is going to be a few months or more I guess."

When asked if not returning to Japan would be the end of his playing days, Read said it was very much a wait and see situation.

"I am contracted for next year in Japan and I guess we'll just wait and see what happens with this virus. If it's all gone out of the world and people are travelling around then potentially I could be back up there."

Read returned to New Zealand this week to be with his family during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, a move made by a number of Kiwi rugby players currently signed in Japan.

"It was a pretty crazy time when we found out on Monday what was happening in New Zealand, it was pretty essential.

"My family was back here already which I was thankful for, but yeah, I guess you need to be home as quickly as you could."