All Blacks captain Kieran Read revealed today that his friends and family predicted him to be a cricket star, that was before he chose rugby as a career choice.
Read, 33, was a promising cricketer growing up playing for Counties Manukau, he also played age grade cricket for Northern Districts.
"I think there probably was, most people thought I was a better cricketer than a rugby player at school so, it was something I really enjoy and still do still love it." Read told reporters during a media session.
Read is among a host of other All Blacks playing in tomorrow's Black Clash Twenty20 cricket game in Christchurch.
The 118-Test All Blacks number eight has been training with his friends in preparation for the T20, but admits it's been a while since he played a proper cricket match.
"It's certainly been a while though since I've donned those whites, so we will see how we go. Hit a couple in the nets, so hopefully I go alright," Read said.
"It is really exciting to be honest, it's going to be a lot of fun, been watching a bit of cricket over the summer, I've picked up a few things and see how we go."
Read said that he will be missing the first four weeks of the Super Rugby season for the Crusaders in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in September.
The All Blacks loose forward spent a lot of time on the side-lines in 2018 due to a back injury.
"The first four weeks off and then basically come back in, and from there and play the season.
"Yeah body's in really good shape, so I think back to 12 months ago and you know basically sitting on the couch doing nothing."
The T20 Black Clash will be shown live on TVNZ1 on Friday January 25, at 4pm.
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