Kruger looking for big send-off
Saints lock Juandre Kruger says he is determined to leave Saints on a high note starting with victory in tomorrow's LV= Cup semi-final clash against Saracens.
Kruger leaves Saints at the end of the season to pursue his dream of playing for South Africa with the Blue Bulls, the side he left to come to Franklin's Gardens 18 months ago.
The 24-year-old admitted it was a difficult decision to leave a side challenging for an unprecedented treble and definitely going places under Jim Mallinder, but the lure of playing for his country was too big.
And Kruger wants to make sure he signs off in style by clinching some silverware, starting with the LV= Cup.
Kruger said: "I definitely want to leave the club on a high note. We have been very competitive in the three competitions this season and I want to win this cup.
"We have done well and I have had high motivation since the start of the season, me leaving the club hasn't affected my motivation at all, I am still very focused and I will be for the rest of the season.
"It is always difficult leaving a club that is doing well, especially when the team is improving every week. The club is going places.
"It is hard to leave a good environment, but I have set myself new goals and challenges. I will miss the club, it has been a nice ride for me and I still have 10 games or so left to make sure I leave on a high. It was a very difficult decision to leave.
"The longer you stay in an environment the more comfortable you get and you start learning from each other, the team starts gelling better and the coaches have been great, so it was a really hard decision for me."
Kruger starts in the second row tomorrow alongside Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe in a side that shows three changes to the one that beat Sale last week. Shane Geraghty comes in for Stephen Myler at fly-half, Jon Clarke takes over from Joe Ansbro at inside centre and with Courtney Lawes playing for England today, Phil Dowson returns to captain the side at blindside flanker.
Kruger admits he was tempted to stay at Saints and qualify for England before deciding on aiming for the Springbok jersey.
"It was definitely in my mind, but it's still quite early in my career," said Kruger. "I have learned a lot here and gained a lot of experience here.
"The coaches have helped me develop tremendously in my forwards play and decision-making, I give a lot of credit to them as coaches.
"I want to play for South Africa, that is one of my goals, but I want to finish on a high note and when I get back to South Africa I want to play good rugby. That is all I can do from my side and if the selectors are interested in picking me then great."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kettering
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
