Kieran Read cleared for first test

All Blacks captain Kieran Read has been declared fit to play in Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park in Auckland.

Read has been sidelined with a broken thumb and his last game for the Crusaders was in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs on April 30.

He has trained well, according to assistant coach Ian Foster, who did all but confirm Read will start the first test.

"We're pretty satisfied," Foster said today.

"He has had his first real solid hitout with contact (today) and hopefully he comes through that well. He doesn't want to miss it. He's desperate to play. He's our leader."

It will be Read's 98th Test appearance and his importance to the group can't be overstated.

"He's been a big part of the leadership group for a long time," Foster said.

"The way he grew into the role last year, the biggest accolade I can give him is the way he grew people around him. He has a very inclusive leadership style, encouraged a lot of decision-making from the playing group around him and earned a lot of respect for that.

Others with injury issues, notably midfield back Ryan Crotty, have cleared up to the point Foster said the squad's "injury ward is looking very empty, which is nice."

Told that players looked as if they had their 'game faces' on today, Foster responded: "I'd like to think they've had their game faces on for a week and a bit.

"Tuesday is a big day, we get a lot of work done. When you go into a big occasion like this, there's always a bit of an edge to it."