Straight 8: The Autobiography

by Kieran Read

SHORTLISTED FOR INTERNATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.As Kieran Read calls time on his distinguished New Zealand career at the end of the Rugby World Cup, this is the open and honest life story of one of rugby's greatest players, a legendary All Black and a two-time World Cup winner.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 (Richie McCaw). He outlines the decisions that molded 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.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 to 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 team-mates, coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From the playing fields of Papakura to the summit of the sport, Read has faced every challenge head on. His life story if no exception.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2019

About the author

Kieran James Read is a New Zealand-born rugby union player, currently playing as a Number 8 for Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League and is a former captain of the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby union team.

Read played for New Zealand from 2008-2019 and is one of the most-capped players of all time, was the IRB Player of the Year in 2013 and a key member of 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winning teams, becoming one of only 20 players to have won multiple Rugby World Cups. Read Captained New Zealand 52 times in his career and is the second-to-most capped All Black Captain, after Richie McCaw.

Reviews

[Rutger Gerrits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful look into the career of one of the most illustrated all blacks player, and one of the most illustrated rugby player for that matter

[Grant Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice memories but a little long winded and boring in parts. Seems a very nice bloke, final chapters rushed a little but if you are an All Black fan it’s a must read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT. A huge All Black fan who has admired Kieran Read for yonks, this is a wonderful book, beautifully written. Incredibly sensitive but also informative and totally enjoyable. Definitely a "Kieran Read fan" must read. I don't imagine this would appeal to anyone who wasn't already a Kieran Read fan but for those who are it is wonderful.
Scotty Stevenson has done an excellent job writing this with Kieran. Up there with my very favourite Non Fiction Sport's books.