‘Still a bit jet-lagged’: Former All Black reflects on ‘unreal’ Crusaders opportunity

Former All Black John Afoa etched his name into Super Rugby Pacific history on Saturday after receiving an “unreal” opportunity to return home to New Zealand with the champion Crusaders.

The Crusaders’ depth has been tested this season with a number of their front-line stars going down with injuries.

In the front row alone, All Blacks George Bower, Fletcher Newell and Joe Moody have all been ruled out for periods after sustaining cruel injury blows – Moody will miss the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, John Afoa was plying his trade with Vannes in the second division of French rugby. But after the team lost their semi-final 26-21 to Oyonnax earlier this month, Afoa’s phone rang.

The 38-Test All Black was given an opportunity to return to Super Rugby with the defending champions.

After answering the call, Afoa ended up starting against the NSW Waratahs at Orangetheory Stadium in round 14 – becoming the oldest played in Super Rugby Pacific history.

At 39 years and 223 days – as reported by RugbyPass earlier this week – Afoa played his first Super Rugby match in almost 3,450 days.

In a video shared on the Crusaders’ social media page, a “jet-lagged” Afoa reflected on the incredible opportunity to play for the decorated franchise.

“It’s still a bit unreal,” Afoa said. “Coming down and everything was a bit of a blur.

“Two hours of sleep last night, still a bit jet-lagged, but I think the key was knowing a few of the old boys and they made it so easy.

Catching up with John Afoa on his return to Super Rugby in the weekend 💯☝🏼 pic.twitter.com/mL53vdoZYk

— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) May 29, 2023

“They’ve got some great players in this Crusaders team and they helped me out, I didn’t have to do much today – try and do the scrum, try and make a couple of tackles and that was it.”

In the history of Super Rugby, there was one rivalry which arguably trumps any other.

Whenever the Crusaders make the trip north to Auckland, or the Blues travel down to Christchurch, it’s an unmissable New Zealand derby.

Afoa may have played more than 100 gams for the Blues, but the prop was just “grateful” for the opportunity to play for a New Zealand team again.

“When I was 25 obviously there was some bad blood and obviously at the Blues and the Crusaders, that was a big game,” he added.

“I’ve been overseas and watching Super Rugby, watching all the franchises, coming back now it’s less about the different teams and it’s playing for a New Zealand team.

“The Crusader gave me the opportunity and I’m grateful.

“I was in France playing and we lost our semi-final over there just last Saturday so I was just finishing up, a couple of beers on Sunday cleaning the house and then I got the call on Monday.

“Obviously more injuries which is unfortunate for the boys but they gave me a chance and they said, ‘Do you want to come down?’ It was difficult to say no.

“The opportunity to play with some of these guys, the young boys coming through, the New Zealand All Black guys here… I said, ‘I could be there Thursday, is that okay?’ They said that was great.”

The Crusaders are second on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, and while they can’t catch the ladder-leading Chiefs, they’ll want to end their season in style on Saturday.

After beating the Waratahs, the Crusaders will travel to the capital to face the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium this weekend.