Wyatt Crockett set for double century
Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett will make rugby history yet again this week, becoming the first player to record 200 Super Rugby caps.
Crockett has been named to play in the Crusaders’ home game against the Highlanders on Friday night, in a match that marks a historic double century of appearances since his Crusaders career began against the same side back in 2006.
Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said: “200 games is an unprecedented achievement, and for Crocky to have represented the same club throughout his Super Rugby career is testament to his dedication and loyalty to this Crusaders team.
“This milestone not only resonates with the current BNZ Crusaders squad and management, but former coaches and team mates, as well as rugby fans worldwide. There is no one more deserving of this accolade and we congratulate Crocky on what is a proud moment for himself and his family,” Riach aid.
Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson said: “To reach 200 games at this level takes an immense amount of talent, commitment, and personal sacrifice over a long period of time, and Crocky certainly sets the benchmark for passion and professionalism among our group.
“Crocky continues to make a massive contribution to the Crusaders jersey in what is his 13th season with the club. He’s well-respected by the squad and management alike, and is the ultimate team man. We are proud to be able to celebrate this achievement with him,” Robertson said.
The Christchurch-born prop became the most capped Super Rugby player of all time in April 2017 when he broke Keven Mealamu’s record of 175 games. To date, he has 55 Super Rugby points to his name, and three Super Rugby Championships – in the 2006, 2008 and 2017 seasons. In 2011 Crockett was recognised as New Zealand Super Rugby Player of the Year.
Crockett said: “This milestone simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the many coaches, management, team mates and supporters I’ve had along the way. I’m humbled by the support I’ve received this season and throughout my rugby career, which has made each game I’ve played for this club just as memorable and special as the last.
“I am honoured to have represented a team that I am immensely proud of for the past 13 years, and to have the opportunity to reach 200 games at home, in front of my family and friends, is something I know I’ll look back on fondly at the end of my Super Rugby career,” Crockett said.
Crockett’s first class career began in 2005 with Canterbury, and he went on to earn 73 caps for the provincial side. He made his All Blacks debut in 2009 and played the last of his 71 tests against Wales in November last year. In 2015, he was a member of the successful All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad.
The 35-year-old played his 200th Crusaders game against the Chiefs on Saturday 2 June, but this weekend’s match will be recognised officially by New Zealand Rugby as it marks 200 appearances in Super Rugby (Crockett was a member of the Crusaders side that played the British and Irish Lions in June last year). An official presentation will follow after the final whistle on Friday night.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew said Crockett had cemented a place in New Zealand rugby history: “On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, we salute Crocky on his 200 Investec Super Rugby games. He’s done so much for the game here in New Zealand and this is a very special milestone achieved by a very special man.
“Crocky has played his entire Super career – 13 seasons in all – for the one team, his beloved Crusaders, and it’s fantastic that he’ll play this 200th match in front of his wife Jenna, sons Sonny and Emmett, the rest of his family and friends, and the Crusaders fans. When he hangs up his Crusaders jersey at the end of the Investec Super Rugby season, he can do so knowing that he will leave as one of the greats of our game,” Tew said.
SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said: “SANZAAR would like to congratulate Wyatt on reaching this amazing milestone of 200 Super Rugby matches. He is the first player to ever reach this milestone, and to play so many matches at this level is testament to his professionalism and strength of character.
“He has been an outstanding servant and ambassador to the game of rugby and, of course, to the Crusaders since his Super Rugby debut in 2006. We wish him all the very best on Friday against the Highlanders,” Marinos said
Yesterday it was announced that the stadium in Christchurch would be renamed ‘Wyatt Crockett Stadium’ for this game, in recognition of Crockett’s 200 match milestone. 5000 ‘Crockzilla’ headbands will be given away at the gate, with those fans who wear the headbands given the chance to win one of seven jerseys signed by the man himself, from one of the 13 seasons he has been in the team.
Crockett will bring up 200 Super Rugby games in what will be his final season with the Crusaders. He announced his retirement from international and Super Rugby in February this year, but will join the Tasman Mako for the next two Mitre 10 Cup seasons.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments