Former All Blacks skipper and No.8 Kieran Read. Photo: NPHO/Billy Stickland / ww.photosport.nz
Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read believes Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder must go to the World Cup.
Blackadder has been hampered by injury in 2023 and was unavailable for the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad with a shoulder issue.
Ethan Blackadder enjoys a moment with his All Black teammates. Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport Ltd 2021
The All Blacks World Cup squad is named on Monday and former No.8 Read told RNZ that Blackadder should be selected for France.
"Probably the guy who I could see coming in is Ethan Blackadder. He's obviously got a question mark around his fitness. I think personally I'd give him a chance and if he can be fit by the World Cup I'd take him."
Read believes Blackadder could take the place of Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is likely to debut in this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin, in the All Blacks the World Cup squad.
Read likes what he has seen from the All Blacks so far in 2023 and is confident they've turned a corner.
The All Blacks endured a tough 2022 with a historic losses to Ireland and Argentina as well as defeat to South Africa, causing many to doubt the New Zealanders chances at this year's World Cup.
However, the All Blacks have won three straight tests in convincing fashion to kick off their season and Read reckons team have found their mojo.
"There were a lot of questions after last year and probably from my point of view it was the manner of the performance that left a few questions as to where we were going.
"This year they've certainly answered a few of them and you can tell this year they've been very well coached and things are ticking along very nicely right now."
While Read said the All Blacks have been "impressive" so far in 2023, he believes Ireland and hosts France are still favourites to win the World Cup, which kicks off in September.
"France and Ireland are probably the two that stand out to me still as favourites and the top teams right now.
"But I think we've (New Zealand) got such a great chance to make some history and get another title."
Read believes the All Blacks are "hungry" to win in France.
"They've got such a committed, driven group to succeed and a lot of guys that have been to World Cups before. Some have won one in 2015, Sam (Whitelock) is still there and he won one in 2011 as well, but a lot of the guys went through the 2019 tournament and didn't win, so that drives you."
And he thinks the current team could go down as one of the best All Black sides of all time, should they snare the title.
"Over the last few years, they haven't been ranked number one, they've dropped down a few places, the expectation hasn't quite been there.
"But I think this All Black team could be one of our greatest, going overseas and winning against some really great sides from around the world."
Read has linked up with Asahi, a major sponsor of the Rugby World Cup, as an ambassador ahead of the tournament and he and the Japanese beer company have identified three All Blacks players, prop Tamaiti Williams, halfback Cam Roigard and wing Mark Telea as potential breakout stars.
Kieran Read. Photo: supplied
"Mark's tackle success rate has proved he has the chance to become a formidable force for the All Blacks this World Cup.
"Cam is showing that he could be a fantastic asset to the All Blacks new game plan, and being the only halfback in Super Rugby to gain 2000+ kicking metres he has the ability to make a huge impact on the teams' play".
"Tamaiti is one of the most versatile players we've seen come through in recent years, showcasing his potential to be a strong pick of the World Cup team."
-RNZ