Neil Crowley was called upon as a replacement player in the Hurricanes in the latter part of 1996, making one appearance off the bench against Northern Transvaal.

Not a big particularly big player, Crowley made up for this with a high work rate, and as an impressive tackler and support player.

Crowley played for Taranaki at flanker and No. 8, going on to make 88 appearances before retiring in 2004 aged 31.

Crowley is the brother of former All Blacks fullback Kieran and Taranaki halfback Alan.