Crotty keen to take his chance with ABs
Ryan Crotty is keen to take his chances as he fights for a spot in the congested All Blacks midfield.
Crotty is likely to play in the All Blacks first test of the year against Samoa in Apia, on July 8, and will be wanting to show he deserves a spot in the Rugby World Cup squad of 31, named on August 30.
Come next year, with the departure of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, the path will get somewhat easier for Crotty.
But for now he is one of five, including Sonny Bill Williams, Nonu, Malakai Fekitoa and Conrad Smith, fighting for four spots in the squad to head to England.
The Crusaders midfielder spoke to media yesterday and said he was aware of the competition for his spot.
‘‘It’s just the nature of the beast. All I can control is any opportunity I get, I make the most of it. That started at training today. You make sure you train really well and as hard as you can. All over the squad there is great competition for spots.
‘‘It’s a good headache for the coaches to have.’’
The All Blacks, who are in a three-day camp, trained defensive patterns at North Harbour Stadium before being thrown a fitness test in the middle of the session.
Crotty said it was a good reminder of the level required as a part of the All Blacks setup.
‘‘[Strength and conditioning coach Nic Gill] wanted to see where a few of the boys were at with their fitness testing and so right in the middle of our session he got a few of the guys on the line, and a few shuttles. It was a good hit out, a good wee blowout and good to be back with all the lads.
‘‘It’s part of my game that I need to be pretty fit. I don’t want to be one of the guys that gets pulled aside and has to do extras. You need to keep ticking over, especially when you’re not playing games.
It was notable that captain Richie McCaw and halfback Andy Ellis, called into the squad as an injury replacement for Tawera Kerr-Barlow, were at the front of the pack during the shuttles. Crotty, though, said he was not surprised.
‘‘They are aerobic beasts those guys. It’s a strong part of their game and attributes that they have to have to perform well. [Ellis has] always been one of the fittest guys, any team we have been in. I know he wants to put his best foot forward.’’
Just as Crotty does, too.