WELLINGTON (Reuters) – All Blacks captain Kieran Read has signed up to play with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz after this 12 months’ World Cup, bringing a stop to 13 seasons as an expert in New Zealand, New Zealand Rugby stated on Wednesday.
The 33-yr-old range eight had already introduced he might be bringing down the curtain on his long take a look at a career after he leads New Zealand’s quest for a 3rd immediately World Cup identify in Japan later this year.
“My family and I are searching forward to a foreign place enjoy, and Japan affords an exquisite possibility to immerse ourselves in Japanese lifestyle as part of the Toyota club,” Read stated in an information launch.
“I feel the time is proper to make this statement on my playing future so that I can cognizance my efforts at the season beforehand.”
Read, who has played 118 times for the All Blacks, can also be hoping to assist the Canterbury Crusaders to a third successive Super Rugby name before they give up of his very last season in his domestic country.