Extra beef helps Crotty absorb Super 14 knocks

STACY SQUIRES/The Press

SIZE DOES MATTER: Crusader Ryan Crotty has put some meat on his bones.

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During the summer, Ryan Crotty decided bigger must be better.

Sick of being labelled "small", the Crusaders second five-eighth wanted to stack on some beef to absorb the Super 14 hits and, after embarking on a rigid weights and nutrition programme during the off-season, he emerged from the gym with a fighting weight about 6kg heavier.

"All those comments of the small midfielders were starting to get to me and Tim [Bateman], so we put in a bit of extra training in the off-season," Crotty said.

"I am up to 96 or 97kg, after being 91 last year. It's good, because last year I was feeling the knocks a wee bit in my first year and, with a bit of extra meat on the bones, you can get through those physical games a little bit better.

"It's good to not get called small quite so often now."

Although Bateman started the opening two matches against the Highlanders and Queensland Reds, Crotty took over the No12 jersey for the third-round match against the Sharks and his direct running and reliable defence has ensured he has remained embedded in the midfield.

Having previously lined up alongside centre Robbie Fruean, who has been listed on the bench for tonight's match against the Lions, Crotty will partner Adam Whitelock at Christchurch's AMI Stadium, while Bateman has again not been required to suit-up.

Over the past 12 months, Crotty and Bateman have experienced a switch in fortunes, with the former a surprise selection for last year's Junior All Blacks at the expense of Bateman, who has since confirmed he has signed with a Japanese club and will leave New Zealand after the Super 14.

Last year Crotty, now 21, made 12 appearances for the Crusaders and his fast-tracking into the Junior All Blacks indicates he is highly rated by All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith.

When the Junior All Blacks assembled, they were addressed by the All Blacks coaches, who let them know their expectations: "They let guys like me, Robbie [Fruean] and Sladey [Colin Slade] know we were in there because we had a good Super 14 and, I suppose, earmarked for future honours.

"It was pretty cool coming from the All Blacks coach. It gives you that little bit of incentive to just keep working hard and know if you are going well then future honours are a possibility."

Although he can also cover centre, Crotty prefers No12 and, depending on form and injury, next year's World Cup tournament remains a possibility, although there are no shortage of candidates, with Ma'a Nonu making the position his own last year.

Another option, Luke McAlister, disappointed when he returned from England last year and has not played for the Blues this season because of injury.

Other second-five candidates are Callum Bruce and Benson Stanley, and possibly Stephen Brett and Stephen Donald, despite them being regular starters at first-five.

Aaron Mauger has indicated he is eager to return from England for another crack at the World Cup, but such plans are subject to the injuries that have hampered him recently.

- © Fairfax NZ News