George Kruis

George Edward John Kruis (born 22 February 1990) is an English former professional rugby union player. He played lock for Saracens and represented England and the British & Irish Lions. He was almost always used as a jumper in the line-out due to his height and athleticism.

Kruis was born in Guildford, Surrey and was educated at Belmont Preparatory School and St John's School, Leatherhead. He played all of his youth rugby for Dorking RFC. Kruis was a relatively late developer in both physique and rugby terms, not really coming into his own until his sixth form years at School. In the Spring of 2007 Kruis and his Dorking RFC under-17 teammates won the U17 National Cup beating Altrincham Kersal in the final at Sixways Stadium. He continued his rapid ascent and enjoyed an exceptional season for the St John's, Leatherhead 1st XV in the winter of 2007, being selected to captain Surrey U18s. With some strong showings for the county he impressed enough to gain selection for London and South East U18s in the annual Divisional tournament at Broadstreet RFC. He started every game in the second row, captaining the team and scoring three tries in the final fixture against South West U18s.

Kruis was also eligible to play for Canada or the Netherlands as his Canadian father Leo is of Dutch ancestry.

Kruis was offered a trial with Saracens in the summer of 2008. Having played in the A League fixtures, Kruis impressed and was kept on until the end of the 2008/09 season. He was also dual registered with Barking RFC during this season. Later in the season he agreed a 2-year professional contract covering the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons. He joined Saracens full-time from 1 July 2009.

In the 2009–2010 season Kruis prospered under the trust shown in him by the Saracens staff. In November 2009 he made his club debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup against Northampton Saints and was the standout player for the reserve side Saracens Storm being awarded the Saracens Storm Player of the Year. Kruis was also dual registered with Barking RFC again.

Kruis saw continued first team action in the 2010/2011 season, making his premiership debut against London Irish in the London Double Header. Kruis also made his Heineken Cup debut playing in both the home and away fixtures against Racing Metro. This promising season was put on hold when Kruis fracture-dislocated his right wrist playing in a Saracens Storm match in early January. After surgery and a prolonged period of rehabilitation he made a comeback in April playing for Bedford Blues in the culmination of the RFU Championship season and the British and Irish Cup Final defeat to Bristol. Kruis also signed a new deal with Saracens.

After a strong pre-season and with the 2011 Rugby World Cup in progress, Kruis became a regular first team player at the North London club. Kruis started in the 'Big Game 4' against Harlequins at Twickenham. It was watched by 82,000 people, creating a new world record for the largest attended regular season rugby match in the world. Kruis gained his first ever Premiership player of the match award against Wasps on 12 February 2012, having been chosen by ESPN commentator Ben Kay. Kruis then remarkably repeated this feat a week later against Leicester Tigers on 19 February 2012 when he was awarded player of the match live on Sky Sports by commentator Stuart Barnes. Kruis finished off the season well for Saracens playing in the Heineken Cup quarter-final and Premiership semi-final losses to Clermont Auvergne and Leicester respectively.

With Kruis having increased in bulk over the pre-season programme many^[who?] were tipping him for further recognition; this was until he suffered a small tear to his medial ligament playing in the Premiership Sevens event at the Stoop. After ten weeks out injured, he was back into first team recognition. Playing at blindside flanker, Kruis was named player of the match against Munster in the Heineken Cup by Stuart Barnes.