Cracknell’s Test debut has delighted his clubmates with Wales loose-head and fellow Tiger Nicky Smith presenting him with his cap.
Argentina captain Julian Montoya gave his former Tigers team-mate a long post-match hug on the pitch.
Cracknell is hugely valued by his peers and yet, perhaps due to his Yorkshire upbringing, he is keen to downplay his strengths and paint himself as a grafter.
“I am not necessarily going to come up with special moments all the time, but I will hopefully be someone that keeps turning up,” said the number eight, who started in 23 games for his club last season.
“There are a lot of players in the (Wales) team that can do special things and maybe I can offer something steady.
“It’s taken me quite a while to realise that’s okay and that’s enough, I can be a player who does some of the not so pretty stuff. I am hopeful that’s enough.
“Bringing physicality is a big thing for me and bringing the fundamentals that I have tried to build over the last two or three seasons. Being flash has never really been my game, it’s more fire.”
Team-mates might disagree with Cracknell’s humble assessment of his own game.
He has been a firm fixture in the Leicester XV after the departure of South Africa number eight Jasper Wiese in 2024, crediting former Australia boss Michael Cheika for putting faith in him last season for the Prem runners-up.
Cracknell has worked hard on his game and on his mental approach with the help of former Leeds, Northampton and Saracens forward Calum Clark.
With two years until the next World Cup, he is hungry to keep hitting new heights in what has already been a terrific rugby story.
“I just want to keep getting better as a player and push to the next level,” said Cracknell, who was called up by Wales after Taulupe Faletau’s knee injury.
“I feel that in the last year and a half I have taken some really good steps, developed and found different levels to my performance.
“I want to push to the next level again and whatever opportunities I get with Wales will be great to put me in a position to do that.”
