Kieran Read first played for the All Blacks as a 23-year old in 2008 and since then has amassed more than a century of test appearances in the famous jersey. Now, after a stellar provincial, club, and international career – including back to back World Cup victories – the New Zealand captain writes openly and honestly about his time in the game. Read takes to these pages with his trademark determination, lifting the lid on the unique pressures of succeeding as captain the most celebrated All Black of all time. He outlines the decisions that shaped his career and uncovers the skills of the coaches who shaped him, while offering readers an inside account of how the world's greatest team functions and thrives. A rugby player cannot reach the pinnacle of the sport without negotiating the many avenues of adversity on the roadmap to triumph. Read unpacks the emotional toll of injury and the ignominy of defeat, neatly illustrating the intense experience of representing a rugby-obsessed nation while delivering a masterclass in how manage the many demands on the mind and on the body. Forthright and frank, Read's well-respected views on the game and its future are a must-read for rugby fans, and his take on the myriad personalities and the peccadilloes of his teammates, coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From the playing fields of Papakura to the world champion podium, Read has faced every challenge head on. His life story is no exception.

Author Biography

Broadcaster and writer Scotty Stevenson worked for SKY Sport in New Zealand from 2007 until 2019 when he joined Spark Sport as their lead Rugby commentator for RWC 2019. Rugby has been his passion and he continues to work as a commentator, reporter and presenter for New Zealand's national obsession. He has also covered the Olympic Games, Olympic Winter Games and Commonwealth Games. Scotty was appointed Editor of SKY Sport – The Magazine in 2011, and was named New Zealand Magazine Sport Feature Writer of the Year in 2012. He has written four best-selling sports books, Cory Jane: Winging It (2015), The Kiwi Pair (with Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, 2016), Beaver (with Stephen Donald, 2017) and Crocky: Wyatt Crockett (2018).