Crotty finds positive from injury
It turns out breaking his thumb wasn’t all bad for All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty.
The 30-year-old has found the positive side of the injury, having been named in the No 12 jersey for Canterbury’s clash against Southland in Christchurch today.
Having missed the Crusaders’ triumph against the Jaguares in the Super Rugby final last month, running out for the red and blacks for the 68th – and last – time will give him closure of sorts.
‘‘You’ve got to look at the positive with anything,’’ Crotty said, a few days after being confirmed as one of four midfielders in Steve Hansen’s squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Today’s Mitre 10 Cup clash will be Crotty’s first game in more than two months, after he broke his thumb in the Crusaders’ narrow semifinal win against the Hurricanes on June 29.
With less than a month until the tournament kicks off, he is expected to play at least 40 minutes today, before potentially playing for the All Blacks against Tonga next weekend.
‘‘[The thumb is] 100 per cent. I reckon it’s been good for a couple of weeks now. Just being nice and cautious with it and following everyone’s instructions,’’ he said.
After missing out on the World Cup squad four years ago, there were suggestions Crotty’s latest injury could result in repeat of 2015.
However, the veteran, who will continue his career in Japan after the tournament, was named alongside Sonny Bill Williams, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.
‘‘Not anxiety as such,’’ Crotty said when discussing the past two months. ‘‘You just focus on what you can do. With a sore thumb you can do a heck of a lot of running. [Strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill] has been awesome giving me a programme over the last sixeight weeks to follow.
‘‘All I’ve been able to control is how hard I’ve worked to get back right and how hard I’ve trained.’’
Crotty’s return in the red and black strip coincides with that of wing Patrick Osborne, who will remain with the side for the rest of the campaign after missing out on a spot in Fiji’s World Cup squad.
Osborne, who briefly joined the Highlanders as injury cover earlier this year, will start on the left wing today in what will be his 43rd cap for Canterbury.
Crotty’s reunion with centre Tim Bateman, who is likely also in his last year with the side, prompted the pair to take a trip down memory lane earlier this week.
‘‘I was talking to Timmy about it the other day. It’s come full circle, he gave me my tie after my first game, against Otago [in 2008]. I still remember that moment,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve had a lot of special ones along the way and to be able to run out with him tomorrow in probably play my last game here in Christchurch, with him, along with plenty of other good mates, for a team I really love, it will be a special moment.’’