Kieran Read wants to be at the helm of the All Blacks when they pursue a hat-trick of Rugby World Cup titles.
The world-class forward surprised nobody when announcing on Wednesday the extension of his New Zealand Rugby contract through to 2019, when Japan will host the sport’s showpiece.
Read, who succeeded the retired Richie McCaw after the 2015 triumph, will turn 34 during the next tournament.
The most-capped All Blacks No.8 is recovering from a broken thumb and, if fit, will raise 100 caps in the third Test against the touring British and Irish Lions on July 8.
Read’s contract – expected to be among the most lucrative in New Zealand – is likely to include provisions such as a sabbatical to help his longevity, with injury having started to make an impact.
He has played just 128 minutes this year, in three Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders in April, having returned late from off-season wrist surgery.
A thumb fracture suffered against the Cheetahs four weeks ago required surgery in Bloemfontein and leaves him in a race to be fit for the Lions series.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has indicated how important it will be for Read to play the series.
“Reado has developed into one of the key players in world rugby, and whilst he’s in the infancy of his leadership reign with the All Blacks, he’s growing rapidly and has massive support from us all in the team,” he said.
“It’s wonderful that he has committed through to the next Rugby World Cup.”
Read, appropriately, made his announcement at his former Rosehill College in Papakura, where he was born.
He revealed he will switch allegiance back to Counties Manukau, where he played all of his junior rugby before joining provincial powerhouses Canterbury in 2006.
Read, who will remain on the books of the Crusaders, thanked Canterbury for its role in his development.
He said the Counties Manukau region is “where my heart lies” and is set to shift north with his wife Bridget and three young children.
“I grew up playing my rugby in Drury and remember going to the old Growers Stadium to watch Jonah Lomu and Joeli Vidiri carve up for Counties,” he said.
“It was important for me to come full circle and sign with the province where it all started and hopefully give something back to the community I love.”
Read is the 20th All Black to commit to 2019 or beyond.