George Bower: 'When you scrum against the best, they don't try pull dirty tricks'

Among teammates, George Bower is one of the most popular players in New Zealand. Affable, positive and honest, he marked his 100th Super Rugby game with his first try in a 36-20 win over the Blues in Christchurch on May 8.

This Saturday night at a sold-out One New Zealand Stadium, Te Kaha, the Crusaders host the Blues in a third-versus-fourth playoff. The All Blacks prop will look to win another small fortune for lucky punters.

“It was paying $51. Someone had to tell me that,” Bower laughed with RugbyPass.

“I had an old geezer come up to me at the pool and say he put a lazy 25 on it. My prop maths isn’t very good, but that’s a fortune.

“I can’t confirm or deny if the move I scored from was planned. I was in the right place at the right time like Will Jordan.”

The defending champions are exactly where they want to be, surging after winning four of their last five games. This includes victories against the top two qualifiers, the Chiefs (36-32) and the Hurricanes (47-14).

Meanwhile, the 2024 champion Blues have struck a rut, thumped 47-24 by the Hurricanes and 59-34 by the Chiefs after their Crusaders setback.

”The business end of the season is where the Crusaders are at their best,” Bower warned.

”We want to do the simple things well, sharpening the tools, tying up loose bolts, focusing on recovery, nutrition, and getting tight as a group. Nothing radical, just trusting the process and remaining on.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

47 - 14

36 - 32

36 - 20

38 - 31

35 - 20

59 - 34

24 - 47

36 - 20

19 - 45

36 - 33

4

Wins

2

3

Streak

3

28

Tries Scored

24

61

Points Difference

-35

4/5

First Try

2/5

2/5

First Points

3/5

2/5

Race To 10 Points

2/5

Bower has been “on” since debuting for the Crusaders at tighthead in a 57-28 win over the Chiefs in 2019. Able to play both sides of the scrum, he’s been part of 72 victories, including the 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2025 finals. He identified the 16-12 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch in 2025, after missing the playoffs in 2024, as a highlight.

With fewer stoppages in the game now, Bower has had to become fitter.

“When we do get to scrum now, it’s like a break, especially for me, who is a Koro in the team,” Bower laughed.

“Even when there is a scrum, the ball is in and out fast. Administrators and fans want to see the game move.

“Scrums are still important for set-piece attacks and imposing physical dominance. However, there is a huge emphasis on being fitter, handling the ball better and getting through more tackles. The mobile prop is the way of the future.

Bower identified former All Black Nepo Laulala (53 Tests, 41 wins) and Springboks Rugby World Cup winners Frans Malherbe (76 Tests, 54 wins) and Trevor Nyakane (67 Tests, 42 wins) as the toughest props he’s marked.

“When you scrum against the best guys, they don’t try to pull dirty tricks on you. They just want to dominate you outright with good technique. Nepo used to make my calves wobble. It’s hard to describe what it’s like going up against the Springboks in Pretoria or Johannesburg with the crowd going crazy,” Bower said.

Prospects of Bower jousting against such illustrious opposition appeared unlikely early in his career. He battled away with working-class clubs Avalon in Wellington and the Harbour Hawks in Dunedin before earning his NPC debut for Otago in 2014 as injury cover off the bench in a 40-23 loss to Northland on a Wednesday night. It was the only time he featured for the team that year, returning three years later for another loss against North Harbour (19-17).

But he kept battling, helping Otago achieve a rare win at Eden Park in Auckland (31-26) in 2018 and then winning the Ranfurly Shield 23-19 against Waikato in Hamilton later that season. He was even employed as an extra in an All Black commercial.

By 2019, he was a different beast with a Super Rugby contract under the tutelage of All Black assistant coach Jason Ryan. What would he say to a restless, ambitious youngster battling for recognition as he did now?

“In that position, I tried to be a sponge, learn as much as possible and ask plenty of questions to coaches and older players,” Bower responded.

“You’ve got to have a growth mindset. The coaches will see if you hold your head high every day and keep working. It can be easy to lose focus when you’re not getting many opportunities, but there are always others waiting. It’s got to be the glass-half-full approach, right?

“Since I’ve been at the Crusaders I’ve noticed there’s greater care for older players looking after the youngsters. Gone are the days of hierarchy and all that stuff. One day, your rookies could be your centurions. It takes a whole team to win Super Rugby, not just the 23 players on the field.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

27

21

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

Bower is renowned for his loyalty. He was absolutely delighted when he heard his old club, Avalon, beat Wellington 22-20 in the Swindale Shield on Saturday. It was Avalon’s first victory in 49 games, having scored just 566 points and conceded 2,446 in that span. Club President Troy O’Kane paid tribute to Bower’s example.

“George played for us straight out of Taita College before heading to Dunedin for University. If he gets the chance, even in the Crusaders or the All Blacks, he comes back to play.

“He is a great guy and very generous, giving kit away or just spending time with our boys. His brothers William and Koli are a big part of the club too.”