Could the All Blacks captain be the answer to who will wear the number six jersey at the Rugby World Cup?
On Friday, Kieran Read indicated he was open to the suggestion that he could shift across to the blindside flanker spot to make room for both Sam Cane and Ardie Savea to start.
- Steve Hansen reveals reasoning behind Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga plan
- Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett to both start in All Blacks Rugby Championship test against Springboks
Read will wear his standard number eight jersey against the Springboks on Saturday but hasn’t ruled out a potential move.
"It would be simple," said Read. "I could switch anywhere in this team and do it. When you gain experience and time in the jersey it's not too hard to do that.
"I'd do whatever for this team but right now it's at number eight. I’m excited to be playing there and it's the role I want to be playing."
Earlier this week, coach Steve Hansen was cagey when pressed on the possibility of the rejigged loose forward trio, suggesting more experimentation may come in the wake of his decision to start both Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga against South Africa.
Read will play his first test of the year at Westpac Stadium and is itching to get back in black.
“I'm certainly just excited to be on the track for the first time this year in a black jersey."
Both sides are coming off victories against Argentina and Australia respectively in their Rugby Championship openers last week.
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