Last year Kieran Read became an All Black. This year, he became a starting All Black. I was critical of his original selection and his early performances. I didn't see the merits of him, I didn't understand his role. Today, I am here to apologise.

I didn't really document these misgivings, except in a few comments on Hadyn's Public Address posts but I feel it is only right that I admit to my mistakes. Early on, I nicknamed him 'The Invisible Man' because I did not see him do anything beneficial for the team. Now I realise that this is because I wasn't looking properly.

I am used to an All Blacks team which uses its Number 8 as a battering ram. A traditional 8, someone who picks up the ball and just runs, aiming to use their physical presence to break through the line - Rodney So'oialo and Sione Lauaki were these players and the selection and use of Jerome Kaino appeared to be continuing this. Then along came a speedster. What was going on?

He was no Pierre Spies. So what was his role? He would occasionally get the ball, but isolate himself. He'd be invisible at the ruck. So how was he still in the side? Halfway through the Tri-Nations I started to wisen up. The reason I was having such misgivings was not because Read was a poor player, but because I was being so one-eyed, so closed to new ideas, that I wasn't seeing it. Read is a great player in his own merit.

Where I fell apart was comparing him to those before him - I should have been comparing him to the flankers, because essentially he is Richie McCaw V2.0. He's a fantastic fetcher and a great runner both on and off the ball. He adds an element the All Blacks were lacking with Lauaki - a threat from the scrum who can run as a forward or link with the backs.

I'm still going to continue to call him The Invisible Man - but only because he's so good at what he does that you barely notice him. Which is a good thing - you've converted me, that's for sure.