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Kieran Read has paid a generous tribute to Ken Owens, three years after the Welsh prostitute was involved in a controversial incident that potentially cost the All Blacks a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.
Read joined other international rugby stars in a video tribute to Owens this week on the eve of the 250th game for the 33-year-old Scarlets, leader.
The former All Blacks captain laughed and joked, “Hi Ken, I’m probably the last person you hope to hear from.”
Read’s comment related to the test spin incident at Eden Park in the decisive series against the Lions in 2017.
David Rogers / Getty Images
Referee Romain Poite talks to Kieran Read after changing a decision when he had originally awarded a penalty to the All Blacks for an offside of British and Irish Lions hooker Ken Owens (C) in the final test of the test series of 2017.
READ MORE:
* Kieran Read broke the ice with the Welsh prostitute two years after the Lions series penalty controversy
* All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is still waiting for World Rugby to clarify the offside rule.
* Tour of the Lions: the errors of the All Blacks opened the door to referee shocking
* Tour of the Lions – Benchmark Review: Romain Poite gave us a howl for all ages at the worst possible time
* Tour of the Lions: The Case of the Missed Penalty When the All Blacks Tie the Lions – Mark Reason
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Ken Owens of Wales shows the wounds of a tough World Cup semi-final against South Africa. The whore of the Scarlets has just celebrated 250 games with his club.
Owens was penalized for touching the ball in an offside position in the 78th minute of the third and final test, only to have the decision reduced to accidental offside after a replay of the video.
Read protested, to no avail, when referee Romain Poite finally ruled a scrum to the All Blacks, rather than a possible series-securing shot. The All Blacks captain said at the post-game press conference that the offense “has been offside for a long time.”
Owens said Wales Online last April “he went to the New Zealand locker room afterward to congratulate Kieran Read on his 100th international game, and he really didn’t want to talk to me.”
“In fairness, he apologized after the tiebreaker for third place in the [2019] World cup. Obviously, there were intense emotions at the time. “
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Kieran Read (left) and British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton (6) chat with referee Romain Poite about the crucial decision.
That World Cup match in Japan clearly broke the ice, because Read was generous in his praise for Owens in the video tribute, hosted by the Scarlets club.
“From this side of the world, I would like to congratulate you on your 250 games for the Scarlets,” Read said.
“It is a great achievement, I can’t think of many other players around the world who can achieve that for their club.”
“So congratulations mate and enjoy it.”
All Blacks assistant coach Brad Mooar, who started the season as coach of the Owens Scarlets, also chimed in with his congratulations, in a clip filmed in a spa pool.
“What an effort, Ken,” Mooar said. “Exceptional things … what a magical milestone for you.”
The video also featured tributes from respected prostitute rivals such as Rory Best of Ireland, Jamie George of England, Guilhem Guirado of France and Mario Ledesma of Argentina.
Dan Mullan
Wales hooker Ken Owens shakes hands with longtime rival Rory Best in the Irish hooker’s last rugby game for the Barbarians against Wales in 2019.
Ledesma said: “I love the way you play, I love the way you lead by example and the way you inspire other people through your passion and love for the jersey.”
Guirado said: “It’s a tough game and a pleasure every time I play against you.
“I hope you can celebrate with a victory and have a good party with your teammates, drinking a lot of beer.”
Owens, who made his debut for the Scarlets in 2006, celebrated after the Scarlets beat the Dragons, 41-20, in a Welsh derby to keep their slim PRO14 playoff hopes alive.
New Zealand-born Wales test winger Johnny McNicholl scored one of six attempts by Scarlets.
Scarlet’s Kiwi coach Glenn Delaney said his team was pleased to mark the Owens milestone in style.
“I was very pleased with Ken, he’s a great guy, and this is a special moment for him,” said Delaney, who replaced Mooar.
