Sign In / Register
All Black captain Kieran Read told Whangaparaoa College students last week that he still remembers a teacher at Rosehill College in Papakura whose support helped him immensely as he played for the school’s only rugby team.
He told the students that he will always be grateful to that teacher, James Fraser, who came in at 7am on cold mornings to be his “tackle pad”.
He said at college level, the most important thing is to try as many sports as possible and to enjoy it.
He said when he was in his late teens he had an ACL injury that taught him the importance of having a positive mental approach – he also used the injury as a chance to focus on study.
Fresh from Bledisloe Cup success, he said even if the scoreline was clearly in the All Blacks’ favour, test matches are never easy. In fact he says he was “in the moment” and “too tired” as he focused on his own role in the game to notice Beauden Barrett’s try-scoring feats and only became aware of it afterwards.
He was looking forward to a week off with his family in Christchurch, then preparation for playing Argentina this weekend, on September 8.
Kieran Read’s visit to the college on August 29, along with a $5000 cheque from vitamin company Swisse for sports equipment, was a prize won for the school by parent Jill Ryan.
As well as presenting the cheque, Kieran, who is ambassador for Swisse, took part in a mindfulness session with representatives of college sports teams and a drills session with their First XV.
“He’s an inspiration,” one player said.
