All Blacks suffer blow as Crockett calls time on Test career
WELLINGTON: All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett has decided to quit international rugby immediately and will end his professional career with the Canterbury Crusaders at the end of the season.
Crockett, the most capped player in Super Rugby, said he would play for Tasman in New Zealand’s semi-professional provincial competition for the next two seasons.
The 35-year-old said the time away from his family - he estimated the All Blacks spent six months of the year away from home - had been a major factor in his decision.
“It’s tough on us, and it’s incredibly tough on our families as well,” Crockett said in Christchurch yesterday.
“I guess last year, I had thought about it and looked at some options. Over the summer, spending time with the family and reflecting on some different things, it became really clear to me that it was the right thing to do, and the timing was right.”
Crockett made his debut for the Crusaders in 2006 and has played 188 games for the eight-time champions. He has also played 71 Tests for New Zealand, mostly coming off the bench, since his debut against Italy in 2009.
Widely recognised by the Crusaders and the All Blacks as the consummate team man, Crockett said he could not place one above the other.
“To be honest, both of them mean equally as much to me,” he added. “The Crusaders is a special group... I aspired to play for, growing up, and also the All Blacks. Once I became an All Black, I thought, ‘I never ever want to let this go’.”
His departure from the Test arena should not be an issue for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, with first choice loosehead prop Joe Moody expected back from a shoulder injury ahead of their three-match series against France in June.
Kane Hames, who stepped into the starting role last year in the absence of Moody, also impressed, with the Waikato Chiefs’ Atu Moli, who has principally played at tighthead, being converted into a loosehead. Tim Perry also went on the end-of-season tour with the All Blacks. ●●Wales prop Wyn Jones will play no further part in this year’s Six Nations after being ruled out by a hamstring injury, the Wales Rugby Union said yesterday.
Jones, who turned 26 on Monday and has eight caps, has been used off the bench for Wales’ three games in this year’s competition, a home win over Scotland followed by defeats in England and Ireland.
No replacement was named with Nicky Smith likely to provide cover for first choice Rob Evans at loosehead.