Former Wales international shines on homecoming as Crusaders end losing streak
Crusaders and former Wales flyer Johnny McNicholl.
Veteran flyer Johnny McNicholl made a memorable return to the Crusaders’ starting line-up when he shone during their victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.
McNicholl made his first start for the Crusaders since he returned to New Zealand after spending seven seasons in Wales, and scored a brace of tries as they clinched a deserved 37-26 win.
It was a fairytale homecoming for the wing, who left the perennial Super Rugby champions in 2016 to join Welsh region the Scarlets.
Impressive stint in Wales
McNicholl‘s career took off in Wales as he made more than 100 appearances for the Scarlets and also won 10 Test caps for his adopted country.
His recall to the Crusaders‘ run-on side coincided with a return to form for Super Rugby Pacific‘s defending champions, who clinched their first win of the 2024 campaign after losing all five of their previous matches.
It was a case of double delight for McNicholl, who was overjoyed to celebrate his homecoming as well as the Crusaders’ triumph.
“I’m really happy,” he told told Nine’s Wide World of Sports. “It’s awesome to play in front of family again for the first time in seven years, so that was special in itself. To get the win is so awesome.
“The message in the week was just throw some punches. We felt the first five games we haven’t thrown those punches so we just come out, tapping it, having a crack, and I just wanted to be a part of it, so I was just trying to get my hand on the nut.”
The 33-year-old, who made his debut for the Crusaders in 2013, admitted that he never imagined that he would ever play for the Christchurch-based outfit again after making the move to Wales.
“(It was) the fairytale I would love, but I never thought it would happen,” he explained.
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“It was a really quick turnaround. I only got in the country three weeks ago and my kids only got in a week ago.
“It was a phone call (then) in a week pack up the house, and off I went first and then the kids two weeks later. I didn’t expect it to happen, the timing was right and it seemed like a good opportunity to come home and play again.”
Meanwhile, Crusaders flanker and stand-in captain Tom Christie paid tribute to their entire matchday squad after the win over the Chiefs, which was a repeat of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific final.
“It’s amazing,” he said.
“The boys, they fronted tonight. I think one through 23 really lifted from what we’ve had in the past.
“it just shows, a little bit of adversity with stuff internal… we’ve got a long way to go yet, we can acknowledge that, but it was a step in the right direction.
‘Sense of freedom’
“It was just a sense of freedom. Obviously, there’s been a little bit (said) in the media if you chose to read it. The shackles were off.
“We just wanted to come out here and play Crusaders rugby and I think we showed that. We showed when we play that we’re a dangerous team.”
The Crusaders have a bye next week and will return to action on April 12 when they face the Waratahs in Sydney.
