Crockett props up youngsters

Wyatt Crockett is living proof that the days of senior rugby players protecting their own intellectual property are long gone.

The 32-year-old, who confirmed on Tuesday he had re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders until 2018, realises he has a much bigger role to play with the Christchurch-based franchise than just trying to retain his reputation as one of the country’s top loosehead props.

In a bygone era senior players weren’t expected to impart too much knowledge to any eager youngsters. Instead they would hang around with the other old heads off the field and generally kept to themselves. Senior players were also unenthusiastic about mentoring new players because they wanted to protect their positions in the team.

All Black Crockett, who made his debut for the Crusaders in 2006, says those days are over. He accepts part of his job is to impart his vast knowledge to eager rookies looking to enhance their skills.

‘‘When I came through there was guys certainly showing me the way,’’ Crockett said. ‘‘I think back to the likes of Corey Flynn and Reuben Thorne and those guys. Even in my first year with Andrew Mehrtens, he was a good man to have around and made me feel really welcome.’’

The sight of men like Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor finishing-up after this Saturday’s final regularseason Super Rugby match against the Brumbies in Canberra reinforces the point that the Crusaders will undergo a rebuilding phase after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

‘‘I’m sure the coaches will be looking at bringing the youth through,’’ Crockett added. ‘‘I guess that’s part of my role now, to make sure that they do. The likes of Joe [Moody], Alex [Hodgman] and Tim [Perry] are three great young examples of that and they’ll continue to grow.’’

Crockett said he’d particularly enjoyed the chance to help Hodgman grow into a capable Super Rugby prop and wasn’t concerned about the exit of key players such as McCaw and Carter.

‘‘When Todd Blackadder left (as a player in 2001), everyone was sort of, what do we do now? But players fill those voids and guys stand up when they get the opportunity.’’

Having become the most capped Crusader in 2015, Crockett said he wasn’t concerned with chasing Keven Mealamu’s Super Rugby appearance record of 174 caps.

‘‘Definitely not. It’s one of those things, you just have to wait and see. To still be here and still want to play for the Crusaders for the next three years is really exciting. As I said it’s a dream come true and I’m still just living my dream,’’ Crockett said.