Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Meet Crusaders' Irish prop who now wants to play for the All Blacks after growing up dreaming of facing the haka

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Meet Oliver Jager, the Irish-reared, English-born tighthead who at the age of 25 is dreaming about doing the haka for the All Blacks rather than facing it as Europeans traditionally do. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite coming through the Irish system and playing for Blackrock College, the famed alma mater of Brian O’Driscoll and so many other celebrated Ireland players, Jager’s wanderlust resulted in him attending the Crusaders international high-performance unit in 2013. 

He liked what he saw, stuck it out to see could he make the Crusaders academy, and now, all these years later he is a regular off the Super Rugby club’s bench and dreaming of an All Blacks debut having signed on for another two years in Christchurch. 

Video Spacer

Crusaders’ Irish prop Oliver Jager guests on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series

Video Spacer

Crusaders’ Irish prop Oliver Jager guests on The Lockdown, the RugbyPass pandemic interview series

His story is quite the rugby reversal. So often in the past, the narrative has been of New Zealanders who have taken themselves to European clubs and went on to represent countries they have qualified for via World Rugby’s residency rules. 

Now, the boot is firmly on the other foot as front row forward Jager, who took on the 2017 Lions as part of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei, has his sights set on grabbing the No3 Crusaders shirt off Michael Alaalatoa and working his way into the mind of new All Blacks coach Ian Foster.  

Speaking in a life and times interview on RugbyPass, the promising prop told Jim Hamilton about his hopes and dreams of representing the All Blacks and getting to perform the haka. “It would be pretty bloody cool,” he said. “The funny thing about it is you grow up wanting to face the haka and I grew up the exact same way. In the northern hemisphere facing the haka is something you always dream of. 

“Just to be able to be in the position where I have a chance – whether it be a big chance, a small chance, it doesn’t matter – I feel like I have a small chance in order to actually do the haka, that is something special. That is something I want to drive for and if you are a player and you’re not trying to play for the best team in the game or make you the best player in the game, you are doing the wrong thing. That is what I see myself wanting to do.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Quizzed on his national allegiance, Jager had no hesitation explaining his aspirations of representing the All Blacks. “I have just signed on two years here with the Crusaders and I’m really gunning on first of all cementing the No3 jersey at Crusaders because that is my main goal at the moment. 

“Obviously with Mike (Alaalatoa) here it’s fantastic competition, it will only make us both better players. I find it definitely makes myself a better player and I hope that me pushing behind him makes him a better player too. At the moment my sole focus is to play Crusaders and make the No3 jersey mine. For the future, I definitely would love to see myself playing in a black jersey. It would be something real cool. 

“Obviously being from Ireland, born in England, growing up in the northern hemisphere you hear of everyone coming up from the southern hemisphere to England, Ireland. Everyone in the northern hemisphere has had a couple of players play up there, the Bundee Akis, the (Riki) Fluteys, all those players. 

“You never hear really the other way around and it’s a pretty cool thing to be able to have the chance of doing it – but doing it is a whole other story.  I feel like I need to get a lot better, really focus my game a lot more. But at the moment to answer your question, I would probably like to see myself as an All Black ahead of Ireland.”

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 35 | Six Nations Round 2 Review

O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 3 | France Week

Second round of the Men's Six Nations | Whistle Watch

Harlequins vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Saitama Wildknights | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

The Dupont Ploy: How France went from underdogs to Olympic gods | The Report

Former rugby player is truly an NFL superstar | Walk the Talk | Jordan Mailata

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

S
Stacy K Davis 58 minutes ago
Crusaders prepare for 'dangerous in all elements' Chiefs game-breaker

INFINITE DIGITAL RECOVER - Best Crypto Recovery Service

Infinite Digital Recovery, a leading expert in cryptocurrency recovery services, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Best Crypto Recovery Service. This groundbreaking initiative aims to assist individuals who have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scams and theft, facilitating the recovery of lost or stolen digital assets.


The Rise of Crypto Scams

In recent years, the surge in cryptocurrency popularity has led to a significant increase in scams and fraudulent activities. This alarming trend has devastated numerous individuals, seeking justice and recovery solutions.


Comprehensive Recovery Solutions

Infinite Digital Recovery' Best Crypto Recovery Service employs a multifaceted approach, combining:


1. Extensive research

2. Legal expertise

3. Strategic partnerships with authorities and financial institutions


The company's team of experienced professionals provides personalized recovery solutions tailored to each unique case.


Empowering Victims

"Our mission is to empower individuals affected by crypto scams," stated a spokesperson for Infinite Digital Recovery. We understand the emotional and financial toll these incidents take on victims. Our Best Crypto Recovery Service offers hope and a clear path to recovering lost assets.


Accessing the Service

Victims of cryptocurrency scams can initiate the recovery process by reaching out via

Email:  infinitedigitalrecovery@techie.com

WH4TS4PP: +1 323 554 3592

TELEGRAM: https://t.me/infinitedigitalrecovery


The company conducts thorough case assessments and guides the recovery journey.


A Trusted Ally

In a digital landscape where security is paramount, INFINITE DIGITAL RECOVERY is a trusted ally for those navigating cryptocurrency recovery complexities. The launch of the Best Crypto Recovery Service marks a significant milestone in combating fraud and provides reassurance that help is available.


About Infinite Digital Recovery

Infinite Digital Recovery is a premier recovery service that assists individuals affected by cryptocurrency scams and theft. With integrity and transparency at its core, the company provides effective solutions for recovering lost or stolen assets, empowering victims to regain control and confidence in their financial futures.

0 Go to comments
J
JJ 2 hours ago
Warren Gatland has broken his silence on his Wales exit

‘‘We had a good week’s preparation in Nice’’

Well, I didn’t see any evidence of that at all. In fact, there wasn’t any evidence that they had even trained! It was shocking.

2 Go to comments
S
Stacy K Davis 6 hours ago
One rule for Europe's copycats, another for the Springboks

INFINITE DIGITAL RECOVER - Best Crypto Recovery Service

Infinite Digital Recovery, a leading expert in cryptocurrency recovery services, is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Best Crypto Recovery Service. This groundbreaking initiative aims to assist individuals who have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scams and theft, facilitating the recovery of lost or stolen digital assets.


The Rise of Crypto Scams

In recent years, the surge in cryptocurrency popularity has led to a significant increase in scams and fraudulent activities. This alarming trend has devastated numerous individuals, seeking justice and recovery solutions.


Comprehensive Recovery Solutions

Infinite Digital Recovery' Best Crypto Recovery Service employs a multifaceted approach, combining:


1. Extensive research

2. Legal expertise

3. Strategic partnerships with authorities and financial institutions


The company's team of experienced professionals provides personalized recovery solutions tailored to each unique case.


Empowering Victims

"Our mission is to empower individuals affected by crypto scams," stated a spokesperson for Infinite Digital Recovery. We understand the emotional and financial toll these incidents take on victims. Our Best Crypto Recovery Service offers hope and a clear path to recovering lost assets.


Accessing the Service

Victims of cryptocurrency scams can initiate the recovery process by reaching out via

Email:  infinitedigitalrecovery@techie.com

WH4TS4PP: +1 323 554 3592

TELEGRAM: https://t.me/infinitedigitalrecovery


The company conducts thorough case assessments and guides the recovery journey.


A Trusted Ally

In a digital landscape where security is paramount, INFINITE DIGITAL RECOVERY is a trusted ally for those navigating cryptocurrency recovery complexities. The launch of the Best Crypto Recovery Service marks a significant milestone in combating fraud and provides reassurance that help is available.


About Infinite Digital Recovery

Infinite Digital Recovery is a premier recovery service that assists individuals affected by cryptocurrency scams and theft. With integrity and transparency at its core, the company provides effective solutions for recovering lost or stolen assets, empowering victims to regain control and confidence in their financial futures.

27 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ High stakes as Scotland seek historic fifth straight Calcutta Cup win High stakes as Scotland seek historic fifth straight Calcutta Cup win
Search