Cribb builds up knees and hopes

By CHRIS RATTUE

Ron Cribb has revealed how close he was to quitting New Zealand rugby late last year.

The 26-year-old test No 8 has battled a series of injury blows and fought a bitter compensation battle with the New Zealand Rugby Union, amid indications he is not high on All Blacks coach John Mitchell's selection list. Cribb admits it will be like "starting all over again" in the Super 12 this season.

Late last year, he had even resolved to take his family - partner Sharee and 15-month-old daughter Helena - overseas. It was only at the 11th hour before the Super 12 selections were finalised that Cribb told the Blues he was a starter.

"I was 98 per cent gone. I had something lined up overseas," Cribb said at the first Blues training of the year at Auckland Grammar yesterday.

"I had already turned the Blues down. They had supported my decision to go. I'd decided to do what was best for my family. I felt my future was clouded here, I just didn't feel secure.

"But if I did leave it would have been on bad terms, without playing a last game for North Harbour ... there was the All Blacks and a whole lot of things.

"At the last minute I decided to give it one more shot, but to be honest the whole thing has been very hard mentally.

"In the end I didn't want to turn my back on New Zealand rugby. One of my goals is to play in the World Cup and I shouldn't let a few hiccups get in the way."

Cribb burst on to the New Zealand scene with dynamic displays for North Harbour and the Crusaders, but the past couple of years have been filled with frustration for the 15-test forward.

He had to battle operations on both knees before last year's Super 12, and has not managed a game for North Harbour in two seasons.

He took on the NZRFU, claiming compensation after missing Mitchell's first All Blacks side late in 2001 - when there was disagreement over whether he was dropped or left out through injury.

A confidential settlement was reached, but the issue hardly helped Cribb's peace of mind.

Cribb's latest knee injury occurred in South Africa in April and he had to wait a month before undergoing a full reconstruction. Since then, there have been many lonely hours of rehabilitation.

"I've had to do so much work away from the guys and a team environment," said Cribb, who hired a personal trainer to push his recovery along.

"At times you think you're going insane. You end up talking to yourself to try to get going.

"I haven't got a clearance yet and it's hard to say just where I am at the moment. I'm not even certain of selection in this team.

"All I can say is I'll be giving it 100 per cent. Other players have gone through these things."

Auckland chief executive David White said he understood Cribb was contracted until the end of next year, while coach Peter Sloane hopes Cribb will be fit for the Super 12 opener against the Waratahs in Sydney on February 21.

"Ron was back to his very best until, unfortunately, he had to get the knee reconstruction," Sloane said.

"He faced a very difficult decision and has decided to stay with New Zealand rugby, which is great for our franchise. He's a big man with a wide skill base. It would be a mistake to write Ron Cribb off."