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'He'll come back stronger' – Scott Robertson hits back at Kieran Read criticism

November 27, 2018

The All Blacks captain has been a target following his side's northern tour.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has rubbished suggestions that All Blacks captain Kieran Read is past his best, jumping to the defence of the number eight.

Following the 16-9 loss to Ireland in Dublin earlier this month, Read has become the target of waves of criticism, with several senior New Zealand based writers suggesting his time as All Blacks captain is up.

With All Blacks coach Steve Hansen having publicly backed his captain, Robertson added his name to the list of those to support Read's continued involvement within the New Zealand side.

"Kieran Read's one of the best number eights in the world," Robertson, who coaches Read at the Crusaders said.

"He's just come back from a major injury.

The All Blacks coach launched a passionate defence of his skipper in the wake of the loss to Ireland.

"It's pretty brutal, it can swing pretty quickly from a player who's mana and his captaincy, how special to New Zealand he's been, and how long he's played for at a high level.

"Maybe he wasn't player of the match, but he played pretty well and for him to get that sort of kick back is pretty tough to swallow. But it's the game we're in.

"I know that it'll wash off, and he'll come back stronger for it."

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