Crosbie unfazed by Stormers test and eager to carry on
LUKE CROSBIE’S impersonation of a jack-in-the-box at the start of the second half of Saturday evening’s 1872 Cup clash at Murrayfield was a decisive, tone-setting moment in the match, putting Edinburgh firmly on to the front foot ahead of Magnus Bradbury’s try a few minutes later.
It typified the mind-set of the capital club, who were powerful, aggressive and relentless during that second period to bully their way to a welldeserved 28-11 victory. Three times the flanker was brought down as he thundered up the left wing, taking play from halfway into Edinburgh’s 22, and he kept springing back to his feet with no discernible slowing of momentum. Six Warriors were chewed up and spat out before the Edinburgh man was finally stopped.
“I don’t know what happened,” chuckled Crosbie. “I kind of ran, hit the deck, didn’t feel anyone on top of me so got up. Then the same thing kept happening. It was like doing this fitness thing that we do, down-and-ups across the field. By the time the ball went away I could barely breathe. It was a good carry.
“I like carrying the ball. All I want to do as a back-row is to tackle and carry, that’s my job. I want to get front-foot ball for the team, and I also want to put my body on the line and try and get the ball back if the other team have it.
“I think it’s important if you want to be a good team in these big games that each player needs to know their responsibility and be a cog in the system by being good at whatever their job is. I feel the reason we can lead on that is players like Gilco [Grant Gilchrist] reading the line-outs and everyone controlling their area when it comes to big pressure moments.”
Crosbie, pictured, was part of a ferocious backrow effort on Saturday, alongside openside Hamish Watson, who was a British and Irish
Lion last summer and long-established top-class performer, and No.8
Bradbury, who was named man-of-the-match. Bradbury’s physical attributes have never been in doubt, but he has struggled over the years to find the consistency required to establish himself as a front-line player for club and country. However, he has had a barnstorming end to this season, and it feels like his imminent move to Bristol Bears in the summer has already had an invigorating effect.
“I’ll definitely miss him,” said Crosbie. “Maggy has been class, he’s an Edinburgh legend coming right through. I love playing with him because he’s physical as well, and I know that if I’m stood next to him and we make a double shot it’s going to be a decent hit and knock the air out of their lungs probably.
“All the boys love him. I can’t speak highly enough of him. When I came to Edinburgh, he was great at helping the younger boys and he still does now. He’s a great club man here and I’m sure he’ll do great at Bristol.”
Before it is time for any fond farewells, there is the small matter of Edinburgh’s United Rugby Championship play-off quarter-final clash against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town in
two weekends’ time. It is a big ask against a team who have won their last eight games.
“They’re a physical side but we can put on a performance on the field that can get the result that we want,” insisted Crosbie. “We’ve shown that before. I’m sure we’ll enjoy tonight, then we’ve got a training week next week to prepare for the quarter-final.
“It was important to get that win tonight after two tough defeats. We work hard to go and get the performance that we know we’re capable of. It’s frustrating when you get beaten and you know as a collective that you are good enough to get a good result, so we’ll take confidence from this and look to build on it.”
On a personal level, this has been a positive season for Crosbie, who initially carried on the form which saw him named the club’s player-of-the-season in 2020-21 to earn his first Scotland cap against Tonga in October. However, it was frustrating to miss out on the chance to compete for further international game-time during the Six Nations window because of a leg injury.
“That’s sport and you’ll always pick up injuries,” he said. “You can’t let it get you down. I’ve just been working hard, staying in the moment, and coming to games [as a spectator]. It’s been great getting opportunities to play for Edinburgh [in recent weeks], and to get the win in such a big game has been great for me and the team.”