He may not have the star power of a Beauden Barrett or Sonny Bill Williams, but midfielder Ryan Crotty is the glue that holds the All Blacks together, according to former Blues and Fiji first-five Isa Nacewa.
Crotty, 30, will start in the number 12 jersey in tomorrow morning's colossal match-up in Dublin, having deputised from the bench during last week's win over England.
Speaking to Fairfax, Nacewa took time to praise Crotty, and having played next to one of the all-time greats in Brian O'Driscoll during his decade with Munster, Nacewa is more than qualified to pass any judgement.
The All Blacks midfielder says Williams has already shifted his focus to helping others.
"If I'm putting my coach's hat on, he is the first guy picked at 12, then whomever you play at 13 typically has a stormer," Nacewa said of Crotty.
"Crotty is just so consistent and never makes a mistake.
"He might not always get the praise because his game doesn't really scream 'X-factor', but he gets the job done and allows others to shine."
Crotty and the All Blacks will face Ireland in Dublin tomorrow morning.
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