Irish prop Oli Jager has confirmed that he turned down the chance to return to Europe to stay with the Crusaders.
The former Blackrock College player, who moved to New Zealand after finishing school, has a penned a deal to stay with the Super Rugby champions until 2022. He had been linked with a move to Ulster this summer.
"Number one is to make sure I get into the starting role at the Crusaders and go from there. In the long run," the 24-year-old said of possibly getting a call up with the All-Blacks.
"I have thought about it. It is something I would like to see happen, something I would love to do."
The Kildare man was not snapped up by the Leinster academy after his time at Blackrock and Jager says moving to the other side of the world was the best decision he's ever made:
"If I didn't come down, I definitely wouldn't be who I am now. It was definitely difficult. It wasn't a straight line journey, tight-head is one of the most difficult positions on the pitch, in terms of physically and technically.
"I've been here for the last seven years, coming on eight. I can't see myself anywhere else. I pretty much have my whole life set up here. I don't really want to change that.
"It is hard to put it on one thing. It is everything really. I just love the team as a whole, all the players. It is like one big family.
"I love it here in Christchurch. I love it here in New Zealand.
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