The holy grail.

Crusaders boss Scott Robertson is absolutely delighted to have secured the services of Ronan O’Gara, who has been released from his contract with Racing 92 to join the Super Rugby champions in the new year.

O’Gara joins as an assistant to Robertson, replacing Leon MacDonald and has signed a one-year deal with the New Zealand franchise. Robertson has revealed that a deal was done very quickly with O’Gara, who he met with in Dublin a couple of weeks back.

He says three words from O’Gara were enough for him to know he had found his man.

“I was fortunate to catch-up with him for lunch in Ireland before the Springboks test match and I just couldn’t believe how much of a superstar he is over there,” Robertson told stuff

“I was blown away by how much he is held in such high regard.

“The biggest thing that sold it for me was when I asked ‘why would you like to be a Crusader? And he told me it was the holy grail’. That was enough for me.”

New Zealand Rugby didn’t stand in Robertson’s way, having been consulted about the move. Robertson says they are delighted to have O’Gara come to New Zealand, as they feel they can also learn from him.

“They (NZ Rugby) were consulted throughout the process,” Robertson noted.

“It goes both ways, we can all learn from this and they were happy with it.”

“Firstly I looked locally but the experience I wanted wasn’t in New Zealand, so I broadened my thinking,” Robertson said in reference to O’Gara. “We we looking for someone who has experienced rugby at the highest level and performed in pressure situations.

“‘ROG has done that as a player for different teams, and also as a coach. So I just thought I would sound him out and give him a call.”

“He is the real deal.”