Read interested to play in Mitre 10 competition

Former All Blacks captain Kieran Read has revealed that he is keen to play in the Mitre 10 Cup competition, saying the country's top players being back in provincial rugby would be exciting for the game.

Read, who is contracted with Toyota Verblitz in Japan until 2021, is back in New Zealand to be with his family in Christchurch following the suspension of the Japanese Top League because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Read has been left wondering if he would end up seeing out his contract overseas but has indicated his interest in playing in this season's Mitre 10 Cup, which is due to start on September 11.

Read says it would be exciting if the All Blacks are back playing in the Mitre 10 and he is interested in taking part.

The 34-year-old retired as the All Blacks captain after last year's Rugby World Cup to take up a contract in Japan.