Crotty reveals why he doesn’t chase the cash with unfinished business in black
The midfielder is glad he stayed, reports Richard Knowler in Dublin.
Ryan Crotty is unrepentant about his decision to travel a road less easy.
True, the All Blacks selectors didn’t want him for their World Cup squad last year, electing to pick Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa to fill their quota of midfielders.
Yes, Crotty admits, several clubs in France and England, having learned he hadn’t been invited to the global tournament, didn’t waste time asking if he would be interested in a shift north.
No, he wasn’t hot on the idea of signing a lucrative contract because he didn’t want to board a flight with a sick feeling in his stomach signalling he had made a bad call.
Given Smith and Nonu were always going to depart the All Blacks following the global tournament, you could say it made sense for Crotty to stick around and see if he could have a dig for a regular start in the All Blacks’ midfield.
Apart from the obvious elephant in room, that is.
Given Williams and Fekitoa were still contracted to NZ Rugby, ensuring the All Blacks’ selectors could field a power-packed midfield in 2016 and beyond, wasn’t Crotty taking a massive risk by opting to stick around? It was decision time. ‘‘Yes, there was some interest from offshore – some pretty good offers,’’ Crotty, 28, says.
‘‘It just wasn’t my time, I didn’t want to make a decision while I was still disappointed.
‘‘I felt like I would be running away.
‘‘This year I wanted to have a full year with the All Blacks, and test myself at the highest level because I hadn’t done that until this year. I am glad I stuck around, instead of running off and chasing the money so to speak.’’
The calculated gamble has paid off. Crotty started all three tests against Wales in June, and when Williams ruptured an Achilles tendon at the Rio Olympics, he continued as a constant in the midfield.
This year I wanted to have a full year with the All Blacks, and test myself at the highest level because I hadn’t done that until this year. Ryan Crotty
Crotty, not considered for the All Blacks’ last two tests against Italy and Ireland after pulling a hamstring against the Irish in Chicago, hopes to be fit to play France in Paris next weekend.
With 25 test caps he is now the senior midfielder in the travelling squad. Although not in the All Blacks leadership group he has still been instructed to undertake an important role in assisting with the preparations of the No 12 and 13s before games.
It’s not a bad result for someone who, if injury had affected his form for the Crusaders, might have not been in the All Blacks this year.
Prior to this season he had started just four tests. This year he has worn the starter’s number on 10 occasions.
It’s obvious the decision not to chase the loot offshore has been the correct call.
Some former All Blacks players have candidly admitted they had sleepless nights before signing contracts, weighing up the fancy numbers against being able to live in New Zealand and continue working with some of their best friends.
‘‘It was a wee bit like that,’’ Crotty reflected. ‘‘If Ieft I felt I would be leaving something behind – that I hadn’t quite given it my all.
‘‘I don’t play for money. Money wouldn’t make me go. You want to stay and achieve what you can. It just wasn’t the right time.’’
Not so long ago All Blacks coach Steve Hansen questioned the ‘‘mental fortitude’’ of those Kiwis who elect to head offshore, without sticking around to fight for a test jersey.
If he still holds that view, he should be well pleased with Crotty but loyalty can only go so far.
The return of Williams will clog up the path that leads to the two midfield spots next year, as he, along with Anton Lienert-Brown, George Moala, Seta Tamanivalu and Fekitoa join Crotty in a scrap to play the British and Irish Lions next year.
While considering what to do, he spoke to his parents, Steve and Robyn. They offered advice, but said the call was ultimately his.
‘‘Mum and dad were good. They were going to back me no matter what decision I made. But they were kind of the same, athletes in their own respect and were like ‘are you running away from the challenge, is that you really want to do?"’
Getting chopped from the All Blacks hurts, especially when there is a World Cup to attend.
The good news for Crotty is the selectors told him there was little more he could have done. It just wasn’t his time.
‘‘They said I hadn’t done anything wrong, I had played really well and taken my chances but they were just going with four different guys.
‘‘I said ‘that is your decision’ and just took it on the chin. And I was lucky I could go and take all my energies with the Canterbury team, focus on leading there and playing well.’’
So it was back to Canterbury, where he was determined to help the team win a NPC title and give his good mate Tom Taylor, who was off to France, a memorable farewell.
He still keeps in touch with the likes of Taylor and Colin Slade, also in France, but says he has no regrets about following them to the Continent.
Crotty is contracted to NZ Rugby until the end of 2017, with the British and Irish Lions tour a major incentive to maintain his form.