Duane Vermeulen picks Kieran Read as his All Blacks-era GOAT

Springbok Mobi Unit coach Duane Vermeulen has named former New Zealand captain Kieran Read as the greatest All Blacks player of his international era. Read’s two Rugby World Cup victories and leadership of the All Blacks were central to Vermeulen’s choice.

Vermeulen faced several of New Zealand’s leading players during his career but said Read made the strongest overall impression. The former Springbok No 8 also considered the stature of Zinzan Brooke, while identifying Read as the standout player among those he personally encountered.

Read’s influence extended beyond his work as a loose forward. Vermeulen also pointed to the former captain’s complete contribution to New Zealand’s teams, with his ability across the game helping separate him from other All Blacks greats.

Sione Lauaki was another former New Zealand player mentioned by Vermeulen. However, the former Springbok ultimately placed Read above both Lauaki and Brooke when assessing the opponents who made the biggest mark during his playing career.

Vermeulen also discussed the development of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus over the past 20 years. He said Erasmus still possesses a strong competitive instinct, but now uses it in a more measured and psychological way when working with players.

The coach’s influence, Vermeulen added, is supported by a collective approach within the Springbok staff. He described the environment as similar to the players’ setup, with individuals contributing their different strengths without personal egos getting in the way of the team’s work.