Wellington - All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read has turned down the opportunity to play for New Zealand in the rugby sevens tournament at next year's Rio Olympics.
The rangy loose forward follows flyhalf Aaron Cruden in deciding not to try and win gold in the event when the shortened form of rugby returns to the Olympic schedule for the first time since 1924.
"I was (keen to go Rio) but I won't be," Read told reporters in Christchurch on Wednesday.