Kieran Read will approach current All Blacks in a bid to make the proposed World 12s tournament a reality.
Ex-captain Read, who played the last of his 127 tests at the 2019 World Cup and retired from the game this year, has joined former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen as an ambassador for the World 12s, while former NZ Rugby CEO Steve Tew is a non-executive director.
Like Hansen, Read isn’t blind to the obstacles that must be negotiated if this event is to become reality: World Rugby, the members of Sanzaar and the Six Nations, the all-powerful French and English clubs form part of the barricade.
But Read is optimistic. When he got wind of the bold venture he contacted Hansen, saying he would like to be involved as a coach if the tournament is launched.
“It definitely would appeal, with some kind of coaching,” Read said.
“That was in the initial conversation I had with Steve, to be honest. It was like ‘mate, I would be keen to be part of it in some kind of capacity’.”
Having conversations with some All Blacks he once played alongside are on the agenda.
The key, Read said, is to ensure a window is cleared to enable them to participate. And that won’t be easy. The initial proposal noted the men’s tournament, scheduled to be played over three weeks next August-September, would clash with the Rugby Championship.
“Yes, we will (talk to All Blacks),” he confirmed. “I think the genuine excitement will be there – I know that, definitely, from when I was playing and the guys that I was with.
“But you (current All Blacks) can’t come out and say you want to be there because at the moment it’s (the 12s tournament) going to be at the same time as the Rugby Championship.
“So that’s not going to work, and we don’t want to pull All Blacks out of that.”
Read has scheduled a Zoom meeting this week with old adversaries such as Springboks loose forward Schalk Burger, Wallabies utility back Matt Giteau, as well as England outside back Ugo Monye, to discuss what they can do to make the tournament a reality.
World 12s, which has a goal of generating around $500 million in the first five years, is targeting 192 players for eight franchises, playing an abbreviated format (30 minutes). Teams will consist of six forwards and six backs.
Read says the Indian Premier League cricket concept can work in rugby; if the World 12s tournament can get all parties to agree to a blueprint, it could play its part in player welfare, and handsomely reward national unions, clubs, players and coaches.
While he accepted it may take a year or two before the top players can commit, Read was confident it would succeed and offer something out of the chaos created by the pandemic.
