Departing Canterbury centre Casey Laulala is focusing only on tomorrow night’s Air New Zealand Cup final against Wellington at AMI Stadium but he is preparing for an emotional time after the match.
Laulala will play his 65th game for Canterbury tomorrow night before leaving to take up a contract with the Cardiff Blues. Since arriving from Counties in 2003, he has been a very important part of the midfield for Canterbury and the Crusaders (61 matches) – both on and off the field.
“I’m focusing on winning the game,” he said today. “I have to make sure I do my role well for the team.”
Laulala has invariably done his role well for Canterbury and the Crusaders. He is a dangerous runner with the ball – from set piece and broken play – and he is one of the most punishing defenders around.
His leadership within the team has also become very important over the years – as has his professional attitude to preparing for matches.
“Being part of this team is about being part of something that is bigger than me. You want to do as well as you can and grow as a person and that’s contagious here at Canterbury.
“The leadership is about growing as a person and you have to do that especially when you get so many young players coming in. You have people around you demanding the best out of you. That’s the point of difference down here in Canterbury, really.”
Canterbury head coach Rob Penney said: “Casey has played a massive part in the success that this province has enjoyed over the years. When Casey plays well, the team does too, he’s that important. His personal growth off the field has also been outstanding.”
Canterbury are bidding to retain their 2008 title against a Wellington team which will want revenge after losing that final and the Ranfurly Shield to the Red and Blacks earlier in the season.
Tomorrow night’s match kicks off at 7.35pm