The All Blacks and Crusaders number eight Kieran Read has been shortlisted for the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the year award.
Read, the International Rugby Board Player of the Year for 2013, was one of key contributors to the All Blacks 100% record of 14 wins out of 14 last year, professional rugby's first perfect year.
The 28-year-old is a long shot to win the award, the Pukekohe product facing stiff competition from the likes of tennis grand slam champion Rafael Nadal, NBA basketball star LeBron James, world footballer of the year Christiano Ronaldo, four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel and Jamaican Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt, who's up for a record-equalling fourth World Sportsman of the year title.
