The Jacks of all trades

Chris Jack's desire to become a Crusader intensified after seeing his brother Graham share in the franchise's first Super 12 success.

The All Blacks lock will lead the Crusaders lineout in tomorow night's final at Eden Park - a ground which has happy memories for the Jack family.

Graham Jack did not get to play in the 1998 final at Eden Park, but the Shirley club stalwart had four games at lock early in the season and was a respected member of the squad Wayne Smith built.

Chris was a 20-year-old New Zealand Colt that season. But he soon followed in his older brother's footsteps, joining the Crusaders as cover in 1999, although he did not play in the final at Carisbrook against the Hurricanes.

He came on as a substitute in the 2000 final, and played a starring role against the Brumbies last year - the season he won the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Award for New Zealand's player of the year.

Chris Jack, 24, remembers his brother's joy at being part of the first winning Crusade.

"I had always wanted to be part of this team. But it was definitely a great feeling to see my brother succeed."

The Super 12 title completed an unforgettable year in the older Jack's career. He and present Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne locked Canterbury's scrum in the 1997 NPC final victory against Counties-Manukau.

After retiring he became Chris' mentor. It must give him immense satisfaction to see his kid brother - dubbed Sapling - develop into one of the best locks in world rugby.

Like the rest of the Crusaders forwards, Jack has found form at the business end of the season and has been made a major impact since being moved to the bench against the Stormers in South Africa.

Jack's duel with an equally-tall All Black, Ali Williams, is set to be one of the features of the final.

But Jack will not have regular Canterbury and All Black team-mate Norm Maxwell beside him this time. Maxwell will miss the match after rupturing a knee ligament in the semifinal victory over the Hurricanes.

- NZPA

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