Former All Blacks captain names two Boks in dream 12s side

Former New Zealand captain Kieran Read has named two World Cup-winning Springboks in his ideal team should he get an opportunity to coach in the proposed World 12s tournament.

Read, who captained the All Blacks between 2013 and 2019, is an ambassador for the World 12s, joining the likes of former New Zealand coach Steve Hansen and current Vodacom Bulls coach Jake White.

The No 8 told Stuff.co.nz  that he would like to coach in the tournament if possible, as the World 12s has been touted as rugby’s answer to the Indian Premier League.

In his ideal team are six All Blacks, including Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo’unga, while Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff and wing Cheslin Kolbe have also made the cut.

The World 12s is targeting 192 of the world’s best players to be divided between eight franchises via an auction.

They will play an abbreviated format of the game in teams involving six forwards and six backs, contesting 30-minute matches, with new rules aimed at improving problem areas such as the breakdown and scrum.

Organisers are aiming to launch the inaugural men’s tournament in England in August 2022, with the first women’s event taking place a year later.

They hope £250 million ($345m) will be generated by the competition over five years, while also attracting new fans to the sport.

Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images

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