Ryan Crotty to join Super Rugby centurions club
Electric Crusaders and All Blacks mid-fielder Ryan Crotty will join an elite group of players when he runs out for the 100th time in Investec Super Rugby in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Crotty becomes New Zealand’s 42nd Super Rugby centurion – having played all 100 games for a New Zealand team or mix of New Zealand teams. He will become the 14th Crusader to reach the milestone including his current team mates Kieran Read, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks and Andy Ellis.
Crotty will be presented with a special New Zealand Rugby greenstone mere to mark the occasion after the Crusaders’ home-ground match against the visiting Jaguares, from Argentina.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew acknowledged Crotty’s achievement as a great cause for celebration in Christchurch.
“Since making his Super Rugby debut back in 2009, Ryan has grown into an invaluable member of the Crusaders. He is an incredibly talented and versatile player who sets the bar of professionalism very high for all players. He’s a humble man and a natural leader who not only inspires his teammates but also his fans. Off the field, he is also generous in giving back to the game. On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, we congratulate him on the pending milestone,” Tew said.
BNZ Crusaders Head Coach Todd Blackadder paid tribute to the immense contribution Crotty makes both on and off the rugby field: “Crotts is a superb player who has managed to grow his game year on year. His contribution is equally important off the field though, where Crotts is both a respected leader and a valued teammate. It will be a proud night for Ryan, his family, his New Brighton Rugby Club and for all of us here. I know the boys will be determined to make Friday night memorable for their good mate.”
Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said Crotty had been a pivotal member of the BNZ Crusaders team over a number of years: “Ryan is a local lad who has shown wonderful commitment and loyalty to this team. He is such a talented player who has always shown professionalism, passion, commitment and leadership within this environment. We are privileged to have had him with the team for the last 99 games and we hope that he has many more games left in him yet.”
A veteran also for Canterbury, 27-year-old Crotty debuted in Super Rugby against the Hurricanes in 2009. His solid and reliable mid-field strength saw him picked for the All Blacks in 2013 when he debuted against Australia in Sydney. He has notched up 15 Test match caps.
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