Midfielder Ryan Crotty has come in for plenty of plaudits following his masterful performance in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test and, as some might say, it's about time.
Often the unsung hero of the vaunted All Blacks backline, the Crusaders midfielder was one of the catalysts of the side's first-half riot, acting as the conduit for some lightning-fast ruck ball and the the damaging running of the outside backs, while claiming two tries of his own in typically clinical fashion.
While his role as the rock of the NZ defense through the middle of the park is well documented, it only tells but one side of the tale of Crotty's immeasurable on-field impact, says assistant coach Ian Foster.
"I thought his game on the weekend was outstanding," Ian Foster told media at a press conference on Tuesday.
"He gets sort of labelled the 'Steady Eddy' as he doesn’t make many mistakes. Then you look at his gain line carries and he's one of the highest in the team, same with linebreaks and offloads."
There's little coincidence that his departure from the field in Sydney after taking a knock to the ribs corresponded with the Australian fight back, his reputation as the glue which binds the backline almost a disservice to the diverse range of skills he contributes.
"There's a lot more to his game than perhaps what he's given credit for," adds Foster.
"Yes he's a calming influence and he's a really good read defensively, but he's also a pretty significant contributor on attack, in probably a less flamboyant way but a very effective way."
Fellow back and great mate off the park, Ben Smith is well versed with the attributes his cohort brings to the paddock, singling him out as a key contributor to on-field cohesion which is often overlooked.
"He's definitely a good communicator," Smith notes.
"From wing or fullback, it's really helpful in terms of getting clarity on what we're doing.
"Anyone in the team is expected to go out and nail their role as well as they can, and that's something that he always does."
Once viewed as a fringe member of the squad, the wider Kiwi rugby public are starting realise what Crusaders fans have been preaching for years – that he's one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Predictably, Crotty himself shies away from any suggestions that, insisting he's just doing the job with which he's been entrusted.
"What works well for me in this team is just going out there and focusing on my job and executing my role under pressure," said the product of Christchurch's New Brighton club.
"When I can do that, if that helps the guys around me then great…..hopefully I can do the same this weekend."
Looking ahead to Dunedin on Saturday, there's one area in particular the 28-year-old believes the New Zealanders need to nail, while it's also likely to be the primary target for their opponents – securing/preventing fast ball at the breakdown.
"We were getting quick ball to play with, so anytime you're getting that it's a little bit easier to pick defences apart.
Rapidly-recycled ruck ball was one of the keys to the Kiwi dominance in the opening stanza of the Test last weekend, before an erratic final 30 minutes which saw the Wallabies run in 28 unanswered points to save a modicum of face.
"When they start slowing your ball down and making that ruck a bit slower it becomes a bit more difficult, which I'm sure will be a big focus for the Australians this week.
"We need to nail our ball carry and our clean out to give ourselves that quick ball that we need to attack and execute opportunities that we create."
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