All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was overjoyed at welcoming back captain Kieran Read to his side for this weekend's Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.
Read, 32, will play his first Test of 2018, not gearing up for the All Blacks since last year's end of year tour, where he suffered a back injury that required surgery in the off-season, forcing him to miss June's series against France.
Addressing media yesterday, having named his side to face the Wallabies , Hansen was nothing but complimentary over Read's return.
"It's exciting to have someone of his abilities," Hansen began.
"Under pressure, he's been there and done that.
"It's a massive asset to have him in there."
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