All Black ambitions, Razor Robertson and a decade in New Zealand - Oli Jager on his biggest season yet with the Crusaders

There's a degree of irony in how Leinster's signing of Michael Ala'alatoa could be the propeller for one of their own becoming an All Black.

The Samoan prop has proven to be a reliable acquisition by Leo Cullen this season, supplementing Tadhg Furlong on the tighthead side, and even scoring his first try for his new province off the bench in last weekend's demolition of Montpellier at the RDS.

Having been a long-serving first choice tighthead at the Crusaders, Ala'alatoa's departure from Christchurch has opened up a gap in the market for a new number three to emerge when the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off next month.

In recent years, his first deputy has been an Irishman; Kildare's Oli Jager.

Having left Ireland straight after his Leaving Cert in 2013, Jager is preparing for his sixth Super Rugby season with the Canterbury franchise, and it will be by some distance his most important one.

Still only 26, the former Newbridge and Blackrock College student describes himself as "one of the older boys", as he speaks to RTÉ Sport from his home in Christchurch.

On paper, he would appear to be in the lead for the number three jersey that's currently up for grabs. His main competition comes from 21-year-old prospects Tamatai Williams and Fletcher Newell, and while both are highly rated, Jager was consistently chosen as Ala'alatoa's back-up throughout last year's Super Rugby Aotearoa and Trans Tasman competitions.

"I have to earn it now, earn it from the start," Jager said.

However, having been involved with Scott Robertson's side since 2017, he knows he can draw from a lot of experience as the season draws closer.

"There's a mentality switch where it’s not as nerve-wracking anymore. I can go into a pre-season and know what to