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Ryan Crotty confirms departure from New Zealand after World Cup
Crusaders centurion and 44-test All Black, Ryan Crotty, has announced he will leave New Zealand rugby at the end of the year, and link up with Japanese club Kubota Spears as reported by RugbyPass in February.
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The long-serving Crusaders midfielder confirmed the news on Monday evening in Christchurch.
“The All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury rugby have been such an important part of my life and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to represent my country, my province and my family over the years,” Crotty said.
“I’m a proud Cantabrian and Christchurch will always be home, but I’m really looking forward to taking on a new challenge in the Top League as part of the Kubota Spears club.
“I know I’ll look back at the end of my career in New Zealand with really fond memories of the experiences I’ve had and what I’ve achieved alongside my good mates, but for now my focus is enjoying the season ahead and helping to lead this Crusaders side one last time in 2019.”
Crotty progressed through the Canterbury and Crusaders development programmes, making his debut for Canterbury back in 2008 and accumulating 67 provincial caps to date.
He became Crusader No. 134 in his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes in Christchurch the following year.
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The 30-year-old currently has 142 Super Rugby caps to his name, having made his 100th appearance in the Crusaders’ 2016 win over the Jaguares at home.
Alongside Matt Todd, he has been vice-captain of the sides that won consecutive Super Rugby titles in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said: “2019 is Crotts’ 11th season with the Crusaders, which is indicative of his loyalty. He’s a local boy, who has made an immense contribution to rugby in this region over an extended period of time and we’re really proud of him.
“Crotts is an outstanding leader in our backline and has delivered consistent performances in our midfield for more than a decade. We’re fortunate to have one more season with him in 2019 and an opportunity to tick off more important milestones before he departs for Japan.”
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All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: “Crotts has been one of the mainstays of our midfield for many years and is a world-class footballer. He’s a very physical, well-balanced rugby player, an outstanding communicator and decision-maker, who runs great lines and has a great pass.
“He’s been a real asset to the All Blacks, Crusaders and Canterbury and will leave New Zealand rugby at the end of the season with our very best wishes.”
Canterbury head coach Joe Maddock said: “Crotts is a proud member of New Brighton Rugby Club, having worked his way up through the grades here in Christchurch. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all Canterbury fans when I thank Crotts for his commitment to red and black rugby over the years, and congratulate him on all he has gone on to achieve at Super Rugby and international level.”
A former member of the Shirley Boys’ High School First XV, Crotty represented New Zealand Schools in 2006, New Zealand Under 19 in 2007 and was part of the New Zealand Under 20 side that won the inaugural Junior World Championship in 2008.
In 2013, he made his All Blacks debut against the Wallabies in Sydney, and has earned 44 caps in the black jersey to date, scoring nine tries.
Watch – RugbyPass talks to Michael Cheika:
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments