Cruden admits relief at getting second chance

New Zealand's get-out-of-jail victory over Ireland did not just come down to a re-set conversion, according to goal-kicker Aaron Cruden.

Goal-kicker Aaron Cruden admitted a slice of fortune in referee Nigel Owens ordering a retake after he fluffed a first attempt at the winning conversion in stoppage time on Sunday.

Ryan Crotty's last-gasp try levelled the game at 22-22, before Chiefs fly-half Cruden shanked the conversion.

Ireland had started their chase too early though, handing Cruden the immediate reprieve that confirmed New Zealand's 14th-consecutive victory and the perfect season.

Crotty said he expected Ireland to be aware of his stutter kick-approach, which has caught out opponents rushing up early in the past.

But he said New Zealand's victory owed everything to their never-say-die attitude.

"I would say that is the biggest kick of my life yeah" - Aaron Cruden

He said: "I was pretty stoked to get a second opportunity.

"My kicking style didn't change throughout the game so you would have thought they would be aware of my set-up and that little stutter I do to calm myself.

"It was a shame they charged early but for us, it was great to have another chance and see it go over.

"The fact we can produce a comeback like that, it says so much about this team, and the All Blacks' ability to produce when it matters most.

"You can sense runners coming as you line up the kick but you're trying to stay focused on the task. But I was pretty stoked to get a second crack at it.

"I suppose it was a reprieve, I just wanted to stay focused, stay in my rhythm and strike the ball well.

"And I was pretty happy to see the flags go up after I'd kicked it. I would say that is the biggest kick of my life yeah.

"I don't think it comes down to the kick: with 30 seconds to go we were able to get a penalty and launch an attack. We stayed to our gameplan, identify space on the left and get over in the corner.

"There was a lot of work done previous to that that helped get into the history books."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Cruden admits relief at getting second chance

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2013/11/cruden-admits-relief-at-getting-second.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Cruden admits relief at getting second chance

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Cruden admits relief at getting second chance

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy