No RWC, no worries as Mr Reliable seeks to add more weapons to game
Ryan Crotty’s face betrays him when you mention the All Blacks, the implication being it’s a question he’s tired of hearing.
At this point his performances for Canterbury should supercede what it feels like to be in a red and black jersey instead of lining up for the haka.
As Canterbury head into the National Provincial Championship semifinals, with just one loss, the 27-year-old has played his part. It turns out success is a good antidote to disappointment elsewhere.
‘‘It makes a massive difference. You’ve got something else that’s really important to put your time, energy and focus into.
Crotty previously admitted it’s been hard to keep his distance from friends in Hansen’s 30-man squad, and has enjoyed keeping in touch with them but the company of his Canterbury team-mates isn’t bad either.
‘‘It’s pretty awesome back here you know. I’ve got some close friends who’re heading off soon so I want to try and see them off in the right manner.’’
The loss of Joe Moody is keenly felt, no team wants to lose a forward of his quality, but there’s no jealousy over him leaving, or concern about the gap he’s left behind.
‘‘Dan [Lienert-Brown’s] got a chance now, he’s a Super Rugby prop and he’s a quality player as well. He’s just got to come in and fill the gap.
‘‘But it’s awesome for Moods. I’m sure when he sat down at the start of the year one of his goals was to be a part of that group, now he’s got the opportunity I’m sure he’ll go in and add value.’’
Crotty has not allowed for any complacency, the All Blacks is still the aim of everything he does.
When he rejoined Canterbury after being dropped at the final hour, the emphasis during the campaign was showing the younger players how to use disappointment as a motivator, and he hoped his strong performances would continue for the Crusaders in 2016.
‘‘As long as you’re happy. I’m really enjoying my rugby at the moment. I feel like my game is still growing and I just enjoy the environment down here at Canter- bury, it’s maybe a little bit more relaxed than the other campaigns I’ve been involved with.’’
Crotty said the culture in the Canterbury camp is ‘‘there is no such thing as a bad mistake as long as you learn from it’’.
That freedom has allowed him to add some more weapons to his arsenal and perhaps become more than his ‘Mr Reliable’ tagline.
‘‘It’s just adding different parts to my game, I guess that reliable and consistency tag is something I was pretty proud of and I guess that’s just me as a player.
‘‘But I’m trying a few different things, offloading, a bit more kicking and stuff like that. Yeah I’m enjoying it and it’s good that I can try it out in the ITM cup and they always back me to execute.’’