Crockett’s 200 tops Super feats

Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett is set to bring up a record 200 games for the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at that and other competition records which are unlikely to be bettered.

Most games

Wyatt Crockett, 200

This is the equivalent of 12plus seasons and not many guys play that many. Perhaps Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick or Sam Cane are a chance. They are all under 30 and have played heaps of games. But it is still a long reach to get to the double ton. The overseas megadollar offers make it unlikely. Ben Smith will crack 150 games next year but he is 32. He’ll have to play until he is 36 to get there.

Most consecutive games

Caleb Ralph, 103

Whatever the debate around Ralph he is going to hold this record for a long, long time. We live in the days of enforced rests and standdowns so players do not simply play every game of the year. Only two Highlanders — Malakai Fekitoa and Siate Tokolahi — played in all 17 games last year.

Most points in a game

Gavin Lawless, 50

This still seems hard to believe. Sharks fullback Gavin Lawless racked up 50 points against the Highlanders in 1997, made up of four tries, nine conversions and four penalties. Lawless was a points machine but it did not last long. The tally looks unlikely to be topped although Hayden Parker scored 36 points for the Sunwolves this year while Robert du Preez notched up 38 points for the Sharks in their smashing of the Blues earlier this season.

Most conversions

in a career

Dan Carter, 279

Carter is a long way ahead of others in this category. Obviously to hold this record a goalkicker has to be in a good side and Carter was. Beauden Barrett would be a chance but his conversion record is not that great. The Hurricanes get ahead by plenty but the leads tend to go up in fives, not in sevens.

Most tries

Doug Howlett, 59

Howlett was a quality player and could have been a Highlander. Actually 59 tries does not seem that high in the freeflowing style that is Super Rugby. Julian Savea could have been a contender to take the crown but his form dipped. Israel Folau is on 52 tries but he may ride into the sunset at the end of the season. Actually TJ Perenara could be the man. He’s hanging round for another three seasons at least and is in touching distance on 43 tries.