A two-time World Cup winner, captain of the All Blacks with 127 caps for his country, and a former world Player of the Year, there is not much that could phase Kieran Read.
However, a trip to Ireland opened his eyes to what is required to be successful in GAA, as was part of a series focusing on the lives of footballers, hurlers, and camogie players.
Having being provided with everything needed for success with New Zealand, Read was taken back by the commitment by GAA players, as they managed a career outside the sport.
“What they're doing on the field, performing at such a high level, what they're doing physically to get to that point. It is quite remarkable.
"Training before work or after, having the schedule down, doing it all themselves.
“For me, in professional rugby, you'd check you're schedule, that was your schedule, you can't change it and it was all there, you just basically turn up and do it.
“So, they've got to plan and prepare themselves to get to that moment, and trust your team mates that they can all get there, too, making sure you perform on a Saturday. That bit was cool.”
Having watched what club success means for the communities across the country, the former All Blacks captain highlighted the sense of belonging in GAA.
“The other bit I really picked out, was they've a real sense of belonging, you're playing for your club, your village.
“It is where you grew up, the people you grew up with, your family and friends. Just that whole camaraderie and how intense that was. I really enjoyed that side of things, too.”
Since retiring from international rugby in 2019, a lot has happened in clashes between Ireland and New Zealand.
The former Crusaders man says the rivalry between New Zealand and Ireland is "genuine" and has backed Ireland to continue to develop.
From the series win for Ireland in New Zealand in 2022, to the heartbreaking quarter-final defeat in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Ireland and New Zealand have played out some classics in recent years.
From Ireland's first ever win against Chicago, to their first win over the All Blacks in Ireland, Read captained New Zealand as Ireland put it up to one of the best sides to ever play the game.
After New Zealand claimed the bragging rights in the latest installment of the rivalry in November, the former All Blacks No. eight says the rivalry is good for New Zealand rugby.
"It is a genuine rivalry, and I think it is a great thing. That is what the All Blacks want, they want international teams around the world to be strong.
"I guess from 2013 was the moment, where Ireland came close to us in Dublin, and probably said to themselves not again, we are gonna win one of these strong.
"The rivalry is strong, Ireland are going to continue to get better. You have good coaches, you have a team that are pretty committed to listening to how you play the game and playing the game really strongly in a good frame in mind."
One Ireland player who has been compared to Kieran Read by some pundits is Ireland's Caelan Doris.
The Ireland number eight has grown from strength to strength, having been captained in Ireland's November series, as well as being appointed captain for Leinster.
Doris was also nominated for World Player of the Year, and Read has liked what has seen from the Ireland captain.
"I rate him highly. The way I see him on the field, he is a powerhouse, to me he is a 80 minute player.
"Every impact he has across the field is huge. It is a positive effort. The way I see it from the outside, he is going to work as hard as anyone. That is what you want from you leader.
"The way he has been able to grab it with both hands in the last couple of years is pretty cool to see."
