Crotty’s Super success the best
Nailing the try that pulled the All Blacks out of the fire in Dublin, or winning the Super Rugby crown?
For Ryan Crotty that’s easy to answer. Being a member of the Crusaders side that won the title last year was more satisfying than scoring in injury time against Ireland in late 2013, giving Aaron Cruden the chance to kick the sideline conversion that gave the All Blacks a 24-22 win.
In Dublin he says he only had to catch the pass from hooker Dane Coles and make a short dash to the line. With the Crusaders he shed blood with his mates for almost seven months, flushing out the frustrations that had accumulated since the side last won the title in 2008.
‘‘I didn’t really do much in that [against Ireland], I ran about 5m off Colesy to score a try,’’ Crotty recollected.
‘‘It was nice to be part of a successful season with the All Blacks, but to really be invested in a campaign [with the Crusaders] – it was just very special, to do it with your best mates.
‘‘As they say, nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. And that didn’t come easy – nine years in the making. I will always remember that.’’
The 29-year-old had more reason than most to celebrate the 25-17 win over the Lions in Johannesburg in the final last year.
A member of the Crusaders since 2009, the midfielder had remained loyal when others may have looked to ply their craft elsewhere. He has played with injuries, dealt with the frustration of watching Sonny Bill Williams secure the starting spot at No 12 in 2011 and also received loser’s medals following the 2011 and 2014 finals.
It was little wonder, then, that he let emotions hang out on the Ellis Park turf: ‘‘It was just so good, so good. A big chunk of this group had been trying very hard to achieve that for nine seasons. There was relief and massive euphoria.’’
After a couple of days of celebrations back in Christchurch, Crotty and the other All Blacks in the Crusaders squad had to pull the plug on the parties.
The next job was to prepare for a test against the Wallabies in Sydney.
‘‘You don’t get long to celebrate. I think we were off to the ABs within the week, so kind of don’t get time to stop and smell the roses because you are off to the next job.’’
Last year Crotty made nine test appearances – injury forced him out of the second and third tests against Ireland – and ended his year as the No 1 centre for the northern tour finale against Wales in Cardiff. It was his 35th cap.
Then it was off to Tokyo to do some promotional work, followed by a stopover in Hawaii for 10 days with his partner and All Blacks team-mate Codie Taylor and his family.
Getting back home for a rest, to kick back and do some fishing with family in the Marlborough Sounds was appreciated.
For the Crusaders, as he did last year, Crotty will start at second-five to allow Jack Goodhue to remain at centre for the season opener against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday night.