After a number of years performing at the highest level for Super Rugby giants the Crusaders, Oli Jager has been called up to an All Blacks XV that will play against Ireland A and the Barbarians next month.
Jager is a familiar name around the country and played rugby until he was 17 in Ireland. The tighthead prop went to school in Blackrock College, lining out alongside the likes of Garry Ringrose, Nick Timoney and Jeremy Loughman during his schools rugby career.
After turning 17, Oli Jager left for New Zealand due to no academy places being available in Ireland at the time and it's safe to say that Ireland's loss is certainly the All Blacks' gain.
The 27-year stands at 6ft 4inches and with Munster crying out for a player like Jager, there was hope around the country a couple of months ago that he might return to Ireland.
8 March 2011; Oliver Jager, Blackrock College, in action against St. Mary's College. Powerade Schools Junior Cup 2nd Round, St. Mary's College v Blackrock College, Donnybrook Stadium, Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
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Oli Jager: All Blacks or Ireland?
That hope was slashed when Jager did an interview with RugbyPass. The London born prop said "I want to be an All Black" and that he seems himself as a New Zealander now.
Oli Jager said:
I think I’ve made it pretty clear in the last couple of years that I want to be an All Black
I’ve put a lot of effort into it, I’ve stayed in New Zealand. This is my sixth year in Super Rugby. I feel like I’ve been here long enough that I really feel part of New Zealand and I really feel like I’ve got a lot of friends in the team.
My whole life’s in New Zealand now, I’ve got a fiancé from the South Island and all that kind of stuff so I think I’ve put a lot of effort in and I would love to see myself become an All Black one day.
It will certainly be great to see how the Crusaders man fairs against Ireland A next month, with a number of the exciting Emerging Ireland tour members expected to see game time.
Jager has already represented the New Zealand Barbarians and being selected for this All Blacks XV is without a doubt a step in the right direction towards his long term ambition of playing for the Kiwis.
The Ireland A's play New Zealand on Friday November 4.
