The rugby career of George Kruis concluded in much the same style as most of his 12 years in the sport had proceeded—imperious, impactful and on the end of a winning scoreline.
Victory at Twickenham is nothing new to the 45-cap former England lock, but doing so for a Barbarians XV against his former national team made the moment entirely more unique. Winning by a 31-point margin —despite playing more than half the game a man down—with a backheel conversion to your name is certainly one way to create lasting memories, as he puts it.
"It was brilliant," Kruis told Mirror Sport. "I wouldn't have had it any other way. I originally thought it could be a bit funny, a lot of French dominating the squad, I guess. But it was brilliant, they really took us on board and made sure we were welcome.
"Because I hadn't had a French experience [playing in the Top 14], but I was very much on the edge of going there at some point in my career. But you get a very good snapshot of how they coach, how they play, how they treat each other as a culture. You do get a snapshot of that even in a week. I loved it."
It was back in February—on Kruis' 32nd birthday—that the ex- Saracens enforcer announced he would be heading for the exit this summer. Despite being a meticulous planner at all stages of his career, however, the last four or so months of his career were very much about living in the moment.
"When you know you're retiring—it's not a light at the end of the tunnel as such—but you start to appreciate stuff a lot more," said Kruis. "The last this, the last that. Because I knew [the end of my career] was coming, it was quite nice. You start to savour those moments, the last trophies etc., it just adds a little bit more. But also makes you want to win that bit more."
Who do you think will win the 2023 Rugby World Cup? Let us know in the comments section.
The framework is already well in place for him to succeed off the field just as he did on it for more than a decade. Kruis—alongside former Sarries team-mate Dom Day—founded wellness brand FourFive in 2019, a burgeoning business that promises to excel more now he can take a more hands-on approach.
The company's list of credentialed clientele continues to grow, as does its list of affiliated ambassadors. World Cup -winner Bryan Habana is among the latest names to join (also as an investor), while Kruis will benefit from living close to its St. Albans headquarters, having spent the past two years operating from his temporary home in Saitama, Japan.
Last time we spoke, the two-time Six Nations champion hoped to end his career sealing one more title with Panasonic Wild Knights in the reformatted Rugby League One. Kruis hit that target following final glory over a talented Tokyo Sungoliath team, another contributing factor in his fancied farewell.
He highlighted "relationships with the players and coaches" as one thing that will be sorely missed, as is often the case when leaving a club. But there's another gaping hole Kruis can't quite fill following his return to the West.
"The food. I'm trying desperately not to be a sushi snob or anything," said the entrepreneur, with the impression of a man struggling with that particular part of the transition. "It's mind-blowing how good some of the food is over there. We'd go in with three or four of us who are really interested in food, try and fit four meals in the day in Tokyo, and kind of waddle home afterwards."
Waddling or not, the combination worked for Kruis as he left Japan with a 100 per cent title-winning record from his two seasons there. But while he was signing off his club career with another trophy for the collection, ex-employers Saracens fell narrowly to Leicester Tigers in the Premiership final.
Credit where credit is due, according to Kruis. Leicester coach Steve Borthwick deserved all the plaudits coming his way after taking the game to the enemy in "almost old Sarries style," but there's plenty of reason to feel upbeat about what's in store at the StoneX Stadium.
"They've still got unbelievable players," the departing star said of his former side. "They've got experienced guys in the right sort of age brackets. There's a good opportunity. I think there's a good emphasis on young guys who have to step on again. I know a few players have moved on like Vincent Koch (who has joined Wasps ) and Richard Barrington (heading to French side Agen), who have both been amazing for years."
Prop signings Christian Judge and Eduardo Bello bring experience from Worcester and Zebre, respectively, while the signing of young Harlequins lock Hugh Tizard—who, like Kruis, hails from Guildford—has brought plenty of excitement.
In a career comprising one grand slam, a drawn series against New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions, a World Cup silver medal and four Premiership trophies, it's difficult to pick out one highlight. That being said, it's the three Champions Cup that Kruis will hold most dear now all is said and done.
"They're just so hard to come by, and you work so hard for them," he said. "There are just endless big games in that competition. You also get the added benefit of away trips, that sort of hype around travel, having to adapt, not making excuses for Glasgow on a Friday night or whatever it is.
"I think the journey to a Champions Cup is just such a special one. It's brilliant."
Do those continental conquests outrank a grand slam? "Yeah, I think so," replied Kruis. "Take the 2019 one [when Saracens beat Leinster 20-10 at St. James' Park], I'd just spent 12 years there, all building towards those sorts of games. Obviously the biggest privilege is playing for your country, but to win a trophy that is pretty much international standard. You look at the Ireland team and the Leinster team, and there's not much difference really."
It's been discussed at length how Kruis could have easily continued to play at the elite level, a point he underlined with his performance against Eddie Jones ' men this summer. But it was important to bow out on the right terms, yet another pursuit in which he made his grade with distinction.
All signs point to a similarly prolific future in his post-rugby life, having earned his place on the sidelines. It's not a position with which Kruis is all too familiar, but then a willingness to adapt has never proved a problem in the past.
