Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S JACK AND THRILL
Crowley living his dream but hopes there will be much more to come
JACK CROWLEY has had a few pinch me moments over the last 10 days.
There could be more to come within the next 12 months.
The young Munster star went from disbelief that he was bringing the kicking tee on for Johnny Sexton in the win against South Africa to impressing off the bench as one of three debutants against Fiji.
But if last Saturday’s game was forgettable in many respects, it was understandable that Crowley was on cloud nine afterwards.
“Even last week I was asking myself what I was doing here on Saturday, running the tee to Johnny and experiencing the whole thing, I was incredibly grateful to do it,” he beamed.
“And then to be in camp this week – I was thinking I was going to be going back to Limerick, but to stay for another week was something I was really grateful for.
“It was mind-blowing and I didn’t think in a million years I was going to be there.
“I didn’t know how they operate on Test week and it was probably a pinch me moment.”
Getting to this level wasn’t a big ambition for him at the start of the season, but Crowley hugely impressed Andy Farrell’s coaching team on the Emerging Ireland tour in South Africa.
Ciarán Frawley’s injury for Ireland A against the All Blacks XV opened the door for Crowley, who started that game at full-back. He has grabbed his chance.
On Saturday, he didn’t have time to be nervous as he got the call much earlier than expected.
The unfortunate Joey Carbery was pole-axed by Fiji flanker Albert Tuisue (inset) and the 22-year-old was summoned off the bench.
“I didn’t expect to be on that
long. “Joey has been so good to me, back in Munster and up here as well, a proper mentor. “To see him go off with that is something that I don’t like to see – fortunate that I got on, but unfortunate in those circumstances that
Joey had to come off.”
Crowley slotted in immediately and while “underwhelming”
Ireland – as boss
Farrell put it – grew increasingly sloppy, the Corkman looked the part.
However he laughed when recalling how he felt over his first kick at goal, which he nailed.
Crowley explained: “Well, if I tell the truth, I missed every single kick from that side in the Captain’s run!
“So, there could be a lot going through your head. It’s weird. You get used to going into your own little bubble when it comes to a kick.
“I haven’t had that situation before but you try and stick to your process
“Anywhere near the posts I would have been happy with!”
Farrell clearly rates Crowley and, if he continues to progress at this rate, a World Cup spot isn’t beyond him.
“I didn’t expect to be here this week so if I started talking about World Cups and things further down the line, it would be a small bit unrealistic.
“I still know there are a lot of things in my game I must improve and that’s what I’m going to try and do for the next few weeks.
“It really is taking it one week at a time.”