Former All Blacks Captain & Leadership Speaker

Kieran Read is one of the most successful captains in world rugby — a two-time World Cup winner who led the All Blacks 52 times and now works with businesses on the same things that shaped his career: culture, accountability and performing when the expectation is highest.

Who is Kieran Read?

Kieran Read ONZM is a former All Blacks captain and number 8 who played 127 Tests for New Zealand between 2008 and 2019, winning 107 of them. He captained the side 52 times, second only to Richie McCaw, and his run of 19 consecutive Test wins as captain remains a record. Read was part of the World Cup-winning teams of 2011 and 2015, playing the full 80 minutes of both finals, and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2013. At Super Rugby level he made more than 150 appearances for the Crusaders across four title-winning campaigns, and also captained the side. He finished his playing career with Toyota Verblitz in Japan in 2021. Read holds an applied management degree and a diploma in sport and exercise science, and now runs Kieran Read Leadership, working with organisations on high performance, leadership and team culture. He is also a regular rugby analyst and commentator.

Career Highlights

• 127 Tests for the All Blacks (2008 to 2019), with 107 wins

• Captained New Zealand 52 times, second only to Richie McCaw

• Rugby World Cup winner in 2011 and 2015, playing the full 80 minutes of both finals

• World Rugby Player of the Year, 2013

• Record holder: 19 consecutive Test victories as All Blacks captain

• 150+ appearances and four Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, whom he also captained

• Appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2020

• Founder of Kieran Read Leadership, working with businesses on culture and performance

What He Speaks About

• Leading high-performance teams under pressure

• Building trust and accountability in elite environments

• What it takes to perform consistently at the top level

• Leadership lessons from international rugby

• Creating a strong and connected team culture

• Handling pressure, setbacks and expectation

Why Book Kieran Read

Audiences get practical leadership lessons from one of the most successful captains in world rugby. Read shows what strong leadership looks like in practice rather than theory, and his insights are direct, relatable and grounded in real experience at the elite level. He is most valuable when organisations want to:

• Strengthen leadership capability across teams

• Improve culture and accountability

• Build resilience in high-pressure environments

• Align teams around shared goals and standards

Speaking Style

Calm, clear and grounded. Read shares real stories from his career with the All Blacks and the Crusaders, and his style is practical and easy to follow, with a focus on lessons leaders can apply immediately.

Ideal Audience and Events

• Corporate conferences and leadership events

• Senior leadership and executive teams

• Sales conferences and performance kick-offs

• Team development and culture workshops

• Industry events focused on leadership and growth

Frequently Asked Questions about Kieran Read

What does Kieran Read talk about? Leadership, team culture, performance under pressure, and what it takes to build and lead successful teams at an elite level.

Where is Kieran Read based? Read is based in New Zealand and is available for events nationally and internationally.

What is Kieran Read best known for? Captaining the All Blacks 52 times, winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015, and being named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2013.

Is Kieran Read suitable for corporate events in New Zealand? Yes. He is a leading choice among corporate speakers in New Zealand, particularly for organisations focused on leadership, teamwork and performance.

What type of events is Kieran Read best for? Corporate conferences, leadership summits and team events where organisations want to improve culture, alignment and performance.

Does Kieran Read work with businesses outside of speaking? Yes. He runs Kieran Read Leadership, working with organisations on high performance, leadership and team culture.