Engineering student Sam Godwin thought he might have been demoted when he heard All Blacks skipper Kieran Read was returning to the rugby field.

Godwin has captained University for the past three years, but wasn't sure where he stood with Read, also a loose forward, making a rare appearance for his Christchurch club side on Saturday.

Read will pack down at No 8 against Linwood at Linfield Park, playing his first competitive game in over four months, having been unavailable for the Crusaders in Super Rugby due to off-season wrist surgery.

IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Kieran Read will return to rugby via his University club side in Christchurch on Saturday.

The 97-cap All Black will be managed in his return, playing the first 40 minutes, as he eyes a return for the Crusaders against the Sunwolves next Friday.

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Blindside flanker Godwin, 22, wasn't sure if he would have to step down as captain when he discovered Read was available. Teaming up with him would only benefit his game, he said.

FAIRFAX University flanker Sam Godwin will captain All Blacks skipper Kieran Read on Saturday.

Read hasn't played a club match for University since 2008.

"There was a bit of banter last week being thrown around whether I was still actually going to be the captain of the team or whether Kieran was going to come in and take my place," Godwin said.

Captaining Read would be a highlight of his young career, but he didn't want to hype it up too much.

"It's an awesome opportunity. I wouldn't say I'm nervous about it. I can't get caught up having him in there, otherwise I'll get away from my own processes."

Godwin and the University squad had been giving openside flanker Morgyn Cowan, a Read lookalike, a hard time. Linwood's defenders might be seeing double, given their similar resemblance, he said.

"Morgyn actually looks quite a lot like Kieran Read. He's got the ginger beard thing going on. He's definitely really excited, as we all are."

Saturday won't be the first time Godwin and his team-mates have met Read.

Before last Saturday's opener, Read and Israel Dagg, a fellow University player, turned up to Thursday's training session to present the jerseys.

"A few of the boys were pretty starstruck, not having had that sort of profile player hanging around them before."

Dagg played for University in their first game last season when he was returning from a shoulder injury. He scored a try and Godwin said all the players seemed to lift another gear playing with someone of his calibre.

Godwin was a keen admirer of Read's play and someone he wanted to base his game around.

"He doesn't seem to worry about injuring himself. He's always steaming onto it a million miles an hour, no matter who's in front of him.

"He's always got a big presence on defence as well, something I'm working towards a lot at the moment."

Gisborne-raised Godwin is two papers away from his finishing his Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Canterbury, majoring in Civil Engineering.

He is a member of the Crusaders Knights development side and is aiming to crack the Canterbury NPC squad later this year, having been named in their wider training group last season.

Godwin expected a decent turnout for Read's return and said even a few of his friends, who wouldn't usually attend, would be there.

"It's always a bit easier to convince your non-rugby friends if Kieran is playing. I imagine there'll be a pretty massive crowd."

Kickoff is at 2.45pm.