The Crusaders (; formerly Canterbury Crusaders) are a
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
professional
rugby union
Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...
team based in
Christchurch
Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...
, who compete in the
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
competition. They are the most successful team in the competition's history and have won a total of 14 titles (
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
,
1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
,
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
,
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
,
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
,
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
,
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
,
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
,
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
,
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
and
2023
Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...
, as well as two regionalised Super Rugby titles in
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
and
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
).
Formed in 1996 to represent the upper
South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
of New Zealand in the Super 12, the Crusaders represent the
Buller,
Canterbury
Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...
,
Mid-Canterbury
Mid Canterbury (also spelt Mid-Canterbury and mid-Canterbury) is a traditional, semi-official subregion of New Zealand's Canterbury Region extending inland from the Pacific coast to the Southern Alps. It is one of four traditional sub-regions o ...
,
South Canterbury
South Canterbury is the area of the Canterbury Region of the South Island of New Zealand bounded by the Rangitata River in the north and the Waitaki River (the border with the Otago Region) to the south. The Pacific Ocean and ridge of the S ...
,
Tasman and
West Coast provincial Rugby Unions. Their main home ground since 2012 is
Rugby League Park
Rugby League Park is a sports stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is currently known for sponsorship reasons as Apollo Projects Stadium, and non-commercially as Christchurch Stadium.
The stadium was originally known as the Addington Sho ...
(known for sponsorship reasons as Apollo Projects Stadium). They formerly played out of
Jade Stadium
Lancaster Park, also known as Jade Stadium and AMI Stadium for sponsorship reasons, was a sports stadium in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand. The stadium closed permanently due to damage sustained in the February 2011 earthqu ...
prior to it being damaged beyond repair in the
2011 Christchurch earthquake
A major earthquake occurred in Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m. New Zealand Daylight Time, local time (23:51 Coordinated Universal Time, UTC, 21 February). The () earthquake struck the Canterbury Region ...
.
The Crusaders struggled in the first season of the Super 12,
1996
1996 was designated as:
* International Year for the Eradication of Poverty
Events January
* January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...
, finishing last. Their performance improved in
1997
Events January
* January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States.
* January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis.
* January 1 ...
and the team finished sixth (out of twelve teams). The team went on to win three titles from
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
to
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
despite each final being played away from home. They again won the competition in
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
after going through the season unbeaten. In the following two seasons, they again reached the final, although they were beaten on both occasions. In
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
, it was the last season of the Super 12 before its expansion. After finishing top of the table in that season, the Crusaders went on to host the final in which they defeated the
Waratahs (35–25). As a result of winning their fifth Super 12 title, the Crusaders were given the trophy to keep. In
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
, the Crusaders hosted the
Hurricanes
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure area, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its locat ...
in the inaugural
Super 14 final and won (19–12). In
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
, the Crusaders hosted the final at
AMI Stadium against the Waratahs, and won the match (20–12) to claim their seventh title. Their eighth championship came in the
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
final when they defeated the
Lions
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is se ...
(25–17) in
Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...
. The Crusaders hosted the Lions in the
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
final and won (37–18), securing their ninth title. The Crusaders won their tenth Super Rugby title at home against the
Jaguares (19–3) in the
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
final. The Crusaders won their 11th and 12th title in both editions of
Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due ...
in
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
and
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
. They won their 13th title (their 11th full Super Rugby title), by winning the inaugural
Super Rugby Pacific
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
final in
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
against the
Blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
(21–7) at
Eden Park
Eden Park is a sports venue in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located three kilometres southwest of the Auckland CBD, on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and Kingsland. The main stadium has a nominal capacity of 50,000, and is s ...
in
Auckland
Auckland ( ; ) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and ...
. The Crusaders won their 12th (14th overall) Super Rugby title after beating the
Chiefs (25–20) in the
2023
Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...
final in
Hamilton
Hamilton may refer to:
* Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757–1804), first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States
* ''Hamilton'' (musical), a 2015 Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda
** ''Hamilton'' (al ...
.
The Crusaders have been led by only three CEOs throughout their 28-year history; former
New Zealand Rugby
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it b ...
CEO
Steve Tew
Stephen John Tew (born ) is a New Zealand sports administrator. He was the chief executive officer of New Zealand Rugby from 2008 to 2019.
Early life and family
Tew attended college at Hutt Valley High School in Lower Hutt and then graduated f ...
, Hamish Riach and incumbent Colin Mansbridge.
History
Beginnings: 1996–1997
The Crusaders franchise was created as one of five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the ''Canterbury Crusaders'', the Crusaders' franchise area encompassed the upper
South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
of New Zealand (see ''
Super Rugby franchise areas
The Super Rugby competition in rugby union, including teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the List of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands and, in the past, from Argentina, Japan and South Africa, is based on a "Franchise (busines ...
''), and was formed from the Buller, Canterbury,
Marlborough
Marlborough or the Marlborough may refer to:
Places Australia
* Marlborough, Queensland
* Principality of Marlborough, a short-lived micronation in 1993
* Marlborough Highway, Tasmania; Malborough was an historic name for the place at the sou ...
, Mid-Canterbury,
Nelson Bays, South Canterbury, and West Coast rugby unions.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 320.] The original Crusaders team of 1996 was captained by
All Blacks
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...
prop
A prop, formally known as a (theatrical) property, is an object actors use on stage or screen during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct ...
Richard Loe
Richard Wyllie Loe (born 6 April 1960) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He won 49 international caps for New Zealand, the All Blacks, as a prop forward. He is a sports broadcaster on BSport, Radio Live and SKY Sport.
Private life
...
and coached by Vance Stewart.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 321.] The Crusaders struggled in the inaugural season and finished bottom of the table with only two wins.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 235.] Their eight losses included a 49–18 loss to the
Blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
and a 52–16 loss to the
Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds is the rugby union team based in Brisbane for the Australian state of Queensland that competes in the Southern Hemisphere's Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996, they were a representative team selected from the rugby union ...
.
[Gifford (2004), p. 151.] And the First ever tour was a pre-visit to South Africa prior start of Super 12.
The following season saw a change in captain and coach, with
Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder (born 20 September 1971) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He played 12 tests (25 games) for the All Blacks, and had 14 appearances as captain. Blackadder captained the Crusaders to three S ...
succeeding Loe as captain and
Wayne Smith taking over as coach.
With five wins, the team finished the round-robin stage in sixth place.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 243.] The improvement was particularly illustrated by the Crusaders' 29–28 loss to the defending champions, the Blues, which contrasted with their 49–18 loss the previous season. (The Blues also went on to win the 1997 title).
[Gifford (2004), p. 159.] During this loss,
Leon MacDonald
Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, and former head coach for the Auckland Blues rugby team, who played 56 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He played as a first five-eighth ...
was taken out with a shoulder charge by Robin Brooke. While the Crusaders attempted to get MacDonald back on the field, the Blues scored two tries, including one by Brooke, who was later suspended for two weeks for the shoulder charge.
In their last game of 1997, the Crusaders beat the Queensland Reds 48–3 at
Lancaster Park
Lancaster Park, also known as Jade Stadium and AMI Stadium for sponsorship reasons, was a sports stadium in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand. The stadium closed permanently due to damage sustained in the February 2011 earthqu ...
.
Hat trick: 1998–2000
The Crusaders won their first title in 1998, despite starting the season with three losses in their first four games. They finished the
round-robin by winning their last seven games, culminating in a last-round win over the Coastal Sharks (now the ) that gave them second place in the round-robin phase of the competition.
[Gifford (2004), p. 169.] Their second-placing allowed them to host their semi-final at Lancaster Park, where they won the match 36–32 against the Coastal Sharks.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 252.]
In the final at
Eden Park
Eden Park is a sports venue in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located three kilometres southwest of the Auckland CBD, on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and Kingsland. The main stadium has a nominal capacity of 50,000, and is s ...
, the Crusaders faced the Blues, who were heavy favourites. According to Crusaders' hooker
Mark Hammett
Mark Garry 'Hammer' Hammett (born 13 July 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach (sport), coach and former player. Having represented Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Canterbury provincially 76 times, and the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders ...
, "If we'd been polled in that week, and had to give an honest answer, most of the boys, deep down, would probably have thought that the Blues would beat us."
[McIlraith (2005), p. 84.] The Crusaders were ahead 3–0 at half time, but the Blues scored first after half time to take a 10–3 lead after 53 minutes.
[Gifford (2004), p. 171.] After Crusader
Norm Maxwell
Norman Michael Clifford Maxwell (born 5 March 1976 in Rawene, New Zealand) is a former New Zealand rugby union player.
His usual position was at lock. He initially played for the Hora Hora club and Northland.
On moving to Christchurch his clu ...
scored a try, the game was tied 10 all. Then, after a
penalty
Penalty, The Penalty, Penalization, Penalisation, Penalize or Penalise may refer to:
Sports
* Foul (sports)
** Penalty (golf)
** Penalty (gridiron football)
** Penalty (ice hockey)
** Penalty (rugby)
** Penalty (rugby union)
** Penalty kick (assoc ...
each, the two teams were tied 13 all with one minute of regulation time remaining.
[Gifford (2004), p. 172.] At that moment, Andrew Mehrtens chipped the ball for
James Kerr to run onto and score, giving the Crusaders a 20–13 win after the try was
converted.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 85.] The ten points scored by Andrew Mehrtens in the final contributed to his total of 206 points for the season − a record for the Super 12.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 335.] Upon the Crusaders' return to Christchurch, they were given a parade through the city that drew 100,000 people.
The 1999 season was equally successful for the Crusaders despite struggling to make the play-offs in fourth place after winning their last four round-robin matches.
[Gifford (2004), p. 174.][McIlraith (2005), p. 260.] They defeated the favoured Queensland Reds (who had finished top in the round-robin) in their semi-final to advance to the final against the
Otago Highlanders
The Highlanders (; formerly the Otago Highlanders) is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The team was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competit ...
(since renamed the ''Highlanders'').
The all-
South Island
The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...
final in
Dunedin
Dunedin ( ; ) is the second-most populous city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from ("fort of Edin"), the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of S ...
was promoted as "the party at Tony Brown's house" after Highlanders
first five-eighths Tony Brown.
Again playing away from home, the Crusaders won 24–19. The decisive try of the match was scored by Crusaders
winger Afato So'oalo when he chipped the ball, then out-sprinted All Blacks winger
Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score.
[Gifford (2004), p. 175.][McIlraith (2005), p. 106.]
Following the All Blacks' semi-final loss in the 1999
Rugby World Cup
The Men's Rugby World Cup is a rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams, the winners of which are recognised as the World championship, world champions of the sport.
The tournament is administer ...
,
Wayne Smith succeeded
John Hart as All Blacks coach.
[Palenski (2003), p. 242.] Crusaders manager
Robbie Deans
Robert Maxwell Deans (born 4 September 1959) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, currently the head coach of Japanese club Saitama Wild Knights. He was head coach of the Australian national team between 2008 and 2013. Deans prev ...
replaced Smith as Crusaders coach. In Deans' first year in charge, the Crusaders won their third title in a row − a feat that would be repeated in the 2017-2018-2019 seasons.
The Crusaders finished second in the round-robin, earning them the right to host a semi-final in which they faced the Highlanders at Jade Stadium.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 268.][McIlraith (2005), p. 269.] Two tries in the final 20 minutes by
Marika Vunibaka helped the Crusaders to a 37–15 win.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 124.] The 2000
Super 12
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
Final was played against the
Brumbies
The ACT Brumbies (known from 2005 to 2022 as simply the Brumbies) is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), The team competes in Super Rugby and named for the feral horses which inh ...
in
Canberra, Australia
Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city, and the eighth-largest Australian city b ...
, where the weather for the final was icy, with sleet and snow.
[Gifford (2004), p. 179.] The game was low-scoring, with only one try each. Four penalties by Mehrtens gave the Crusaders a 12–6 half time lead. Following a Brumbies penalty four minutes from time, the Brumbies led 19–17.
However, the Crusaders were awarded a penalty from the resulting kick-off, and after Mehrtens converted the penalty, the Crusaders went on to win the game 20–19.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 125.]
Development of a legacy: 2001–2005

After winning three consecutive Super 12 titles, the Crusaders finished tenth in 2001 – their worst finish since 1996. The season was the last for captain Todd Blackadder before he left to play for
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...
in Scotland.
The Crusaders bounced back dramatically in 2002 when they went through the Super 12 season unbeaten, achieving their fourth title. Although the Crusaders won all eleven of their round-robin matches, six of them were won by a margin of seven points or less.
[McIlraith (2006), p. 164.] Their eleven round-robin games also included a record 96–19 win over the Waratahs in the final match of the round-robin stage, which was especially noteworthy given that both teams finished at the top of the table.
The Crusaders met the Highlanders in their 2002 semi-final, which they eventually won 34–23 after being ahead 18–6 at half time. The following week, they faced the Brumbies in the first final to be hosted at Jade Stadium. The Brumbies trailed 11–3 after the first half, having had only 30 per cent possession.
[Gifford (2004), p. 189.] Although the Brumbies closed the gap to 14–13 with eight minutes to go, the Crusaders held on and steadied to win 31–13 with a last-minute try to
Caleb Ralph
Caleb Stan Ralph (born 10 September 1977 in Rotorua) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Ralph began his first-class career with Bay of Plenty, then moved to Auckland before heading to Canterbury. He started his Super Rugby career with the ...
.
[McIlraith (2006), p. 165.] The season was their first under the captaincy of
Reuben Thorne
Reuben David Thorne (born 2 January 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union player, and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. Now involved with Big Brother Big Sister and is the Christ College first xv coach.
Professional career and ...
, who went on to captain the All Blacks until the end of the
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England national rugby union team, England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispu ...
.
The Crusaders' winning run finally came to an end when they were beaten 39–5 by the Blues in the third round of the 2003 Super 12 season.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 288.] Although their 15-match unbeaten streak had ended, Richie McCaw said of the loss, "...in some ways it was almost a relief. We'd finally been beaten, the run was over, so people could stop talking about it and we could get on with playing it week by week."
[McIlraith (2005), p. 170.] The Crusaders recovered to finish second on the table with eight wins.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 294.] They hosted a semi-final against the Hurricanes, who were coached by Colin Cooper, a former assistant coach for the Crusaders. Despite this inside knowledge of the team by the Wellington coach, the Crusaders won the match 39–16.
In the final, the Crusaders met the Blues, another team coached by a former Crusaders assistant coach,
Peter Sloane. Hooker
Mark Hammett
Mark Garry 'Hammer' Hammett (born 13 July 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach (sport), coach and former player. Having represented Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Canterbury provincially 76 times, and the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders ...
scored two tries to give the Crusaders a 10–6 lead at half-time.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 186.] The Blues hit back to lead 21–10 with ten minutes to go. The Crusaders managed another converted try, but it was not enough, and the Blues won 21–17.
The Crusaders' 2004 season began with two losses: first to the Waratahs, then to the Blues.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 191.] They recovered to again finish second on the table with seven wins.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 302.] They played the Stormers at Jade Stadium in their semi-final, and won 27–16.
They met the Brumbies at
Canberra Stadium
Canberra Stadium, commercially known as GIO Stadium Canberra, is a facility primarily used for rugby league and rugby union games, located adjacent to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the capital of Australia. It is the largest sp ...
in a replay of the 2000 final. The Brumbies dominated in the final, scoring 33 unanswered points in the first 19 minutes.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 188.] The Crusaders managed to salvage some pride by narrowing the loss to a 47–38 finish.
The 2005 season started with a repeat of the previous year's final: a Brumbies victory over the Crusaders in Canberra.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 303.] There was a win the following week at home over the
Chiefs, followed by a win over the Reds at
Trafalgar Park.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 305.] Although there was a 35–20 loss to the Bulls after Crusaders captain Richie McCaw was knocked unconscious, they eventually finished the regular season top of the table.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 203.][McIlraith (2005), p. 310.] McCaw returned from his five weeks on the sideline to lead the Crusaders in their semi-final victory over the Hurricanes.
They faced the Waratahs in the final at Jade Stadium.
Leading 14–6 at halftime, the Crusaders then moved out to a 29-point lead.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 205.] Despite three late tries by the Waratahs, the Crusaders won their fifth title with a 35–20 win.
[McIlraith (2005), p. 311.]
As a reward for their seventh finals appearance and fifth title, the Crusaders were allowed to keep the Super 12 trophy.
After the 2005 season, the franchise saw the departure of stalwarts
Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Philip Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He was regarded as a top first five-eighth, having played first for Canterbury in 1993, before being selected for the All Blacks (New Zealand's national ...
and
Justin Marshall
Justin Warren Marshall (born 5 August 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played 81 games for the New Zealand All Blacks between 1995 and 2005.
Marshall played for the in the Super Rugby, Super 12 from 1996 to 2005, winning ...
, both of whom had played for the team since its formation in 1996.
Super 14: 2006–2010

In 2006, the Super 12 expanded to form the Super 14 when the
Western Force
The Western Force is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia, currently competing in Super Rugby, Super Rugby Pacific. They previously played in Super Rugby from 2006 until they were axed from the competitio ...
from
Perth
Perth () is the list of Australian capital cities, capital city of Western Australia. It is the list of cities in Australia by population, fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth . The ...
, Australia, and the
Cheetahs
The cheetah (''Acinonyx jubatus'') is a large cat and the fastest land animal. It has a tawny to creamy white or pale buff fur that is marked with evenly spaced, solid black spots. The head is small and rounded, with a short snout and blac ...
from the
Free State and
Northern Cape Province
The Northern Cape ( ; ; ) is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of the Kga ...
s, South Africa joined the competition. An unbeaten run of sixteen matches was nearly halted when the Crusaders drew with the Western Force in Perth in round eleven.
The following week, the unbeaten run was ended when the Crusaders lost to the Stormers in Cape Town.
That loss was their only one of the year, as they finished top of the table with eleven wins.
After beating the Bulls in their semi-final, the Crusaders faced the Hurricanes in the final at Jade Stadium that was played in a thick fog, causing poor visibility.
Sections of the crowd could not see the field, and many spectators left during the match.
The scorers were tied 9–9 going into the game's last 20 minutes. The Crusaders'
Casey Laulala then scored the game's only try before the match finished 19–12.
In the
2007 Super 14
The 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rug ...
season, seven Crusaders players missed the first seven rounds of the competition to participate in an All Black "conditioning programme".
The conditioning programme was part of the All Blacks'
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup () was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by F ...
preparations; 22 players were selected for the programme. The Crusaders' seven players in the programme was more than any other New Zealand Super 14 franchise. The Crusaders players were
Chris Jack
Christopher Raymond Jack (born 5 September 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock. He played for Canterbury and the Tasman Mako in the National Provincial Championship and its successor, the Air New Zealand Cup; ...
, Richie McCaw, Greg Somerville, Reuben Thorne, Dan Carter, Leon MacDonald, and
Aaron Mauger
Aaron Joseph Douglas Mauger (last name pronounced "Major"; born 29 November 1980) is a New Zealand professional rugby union coach and former player.
Playing career
Born in Christchurch, Mauger played first five-eighth and second five-eighth ...
.
All but one of the seven returned to play for the Crusaders in their eighth round match against the Stormers (Greg Somerville did not return due to injury).
The Crusaders climbed to second on the table before defeating the
Western Force
The Western Force is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia, currently competing in Super Rugby, Super Rugby Pacific. They previously played in Super Rugby from 2006 until they were axed from the competitio ...
53–0 at Jade Stadium in the tenth round.
The victory over the Force was the one hundredth Super rugby win for the Crusaders – the first franchise to reach the milestone.
The Crusaders were top of the table going into the last round of the Super 14 before the play-offs. To guarantee a home semi-final they needed to defeat the Chiefs at Jade Stadium. The Chiefs won 30–24 – and ended the Crusaders 26 game winning streak at home.
As the Bulls defeated the Reds 92–3 in the same round, they overtook the Crusaders to finish second in the round robin.
The Crusaders then travelled to Pretoria to face the Bulls in their semi-final where they lost 27–12.
The 2008 season was another highly successful one for the Crusaders. After finishing top of the table at the end of the last round,
they comfortably defeated the Hurricanes 33–22 in the semi-final,
and went on to beat the Waratahs in the final 20–12.
It was a fitting way to send off long-serving coach Robbie Deans before he departed to coach
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
.
It was also the last game for Crusaders stalwarts Caleb Ralph and former captain Reuben Thorne.
In July that year former captain
Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder (born 20 September 1971) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He played 12 tests (25 games) for the All Blacks, and had 14 appearances as captain. Blackadder captained the Crusaders to three S ...
was appointed Crusaders coach, and his former teammates
Mark Hammett
Mark Garry 'Hammer' Hammett (born 13 July 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach (sport), coach and former player. Having represented Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Canterbury provincially 76 times, and the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders ...
and
Daryl Gibson
Daryl Peter Earl Gibson (born 2 March 1975) is an international rugby coach and former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby and represented his country with the All Blacks. After success as assistant ...
were appointed as assistants.
The 2009 season started with a sole win and a draw from the Crusaders' first five matches; this included a 6–0 loss to the Highlanders.
The side found its feet later in the season, and won key away games which ultimately saw them finish in fourth place on the table – just ahead of the Waratahs.
Both the Crusaders and Waratahs finished the season with 41 competition points, but the Crusaders advanced through to the semi-finals due to a greater 'points for and against' difference.
The Crusaders lost their semi-final to the
Bulls
Bulls may refer to:
*The plural of bull, an adult male bovine
* Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District
Sports
*Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding
*Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...
36–23 at
Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a Rugby union, rugby stadium situated in the suburb of Arcadia, Pretoria, Arcadia, city of Pretoria in the Gauteng province of South Africa, owned by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. The stadium can accommodate 51,762 spe ...
,
Pretoria
Pretoria ( ; ) is the Capital of South Africa, administrative capital of South Africa, serving as the seat of the Executive (government), executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to the country.
Pretoria strad ...
in front of a capacity 52,000 crowd.
The Bulls went on to win the 2009 Super 14 title beating the Chiefs 61–17.
Statistically, the Crusaders had the best defensive record of the 2009 competition – conceding just 198 points. However, points for, and total tries scored was the second lowest in the competition with just 231 points and 27 tries.
In 2010 the Crusaders had a very good start to the season before a poor finish with three losses in four games caused them to have to travel to
Orlando Stadium
Orlando Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, in Gauteng province in South Africa. It is the home venue for Orlando Pirates Football Club, a professional soccer team that plays in the Premier Soccer League a ...
,
Soweto
Soweto () is a Township (South Africa), township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for ''South Western T ...
to face the
Bulls
Bulls may refer to:
*The plural of bull, an adult male bovine
* Bulls, New Zealand, a small town in the Rangitikei District
Sports
*Bucking bull, used in the sport of bull riding
*Bulls (rugby union), a South African rugby union franchise operated ...
. They lost the semi-final 39–24.
2011–2016
The 2011 season had a minor hiccup at the very beginning with a two-point loss to the
Blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
. Their second round match against the
Hurricanes
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure area, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its locat ...
was cancelled, and match declared a draw after the
Christchurch earthquake
A major earthquake occurred in Christchurch on Tuesday 22 February 2011 at 12:51 p.m. local time (23:51 UTC, 21 February). The () earthquake struck the Canterbury Region in the South Island, centred south-east of the centr ...
on 22 February which caused 182 deaths. In their first match after the earthquake they played the
Waratahs, a team that had only conceded six points in their previous two games. The Crusaders triumphed 33–18 in a convincing display in front of a sold-out stadium. They next played the
Brumbies
The ACT Brumbies (known from 2005 to 2022 as simply the Brumbies) is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), The team competes in Super Rugby and named for the feral horses which inh ...
and brushed them aside in a 52–10 demolition. They next played the
Highlanders who had previously only lost one match in the season, to the undefeated and table-topping
Stormers
The Stormers (known for sponsorship reasons as the DHL Stormers) and the academic team DHL Stormers is a South African professional rugby union team based in Cape Town in the Western Cape that competes in the United Rugby Championship, a tra ...
. The Crusaders won comfortably 44–13 in Dunedin. The next team they played, the
Sharks
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...
, had like the Highlanders previously only lost one match in the season before the Crusaders won 44–28 at
Twickenham
Twickenham ( ) is a suburban district of London, England, on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historic counties of England, Historically in Middlesex, since 1965 it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, who ...
for a one-off match due to earthquake damage at their own ground. They played the second match in a sell-out crowd at
Fraser Park
Fraser Park is Lower Hutt's largest recreational sportsground, at 27 hectares it is the biggest sporting ground in the lower North Island. It is home to the Ricoh Sports Centre, a multi-use venue, as well as sports like rugby, rugby league, fo ...
in Timaru against the Bulls winning 27–0. Round 9 they played the Chiefs in Mt Maunganui and gained four tries winning 34–16 with Richie McCaw returning after eight weeks off with injury. The Crusaders lost the final at the Suncorp Stadium to the
Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds is the rugby union team based in Brisbane for the Australian state of Queensland that competes in the Southern Hemisphere's Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996, they were a representative team selected from the rugby union ...
. Will Genia scored a crucial try for the Reds to help them to an 18–13 win.
The 2012 season, the first in the new home ground of
Christchurch Stadium
Rugby League Park is a sports stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is currently known for sponsorship reasons as Apollo Projects Stadium, and non-commercially as Christchurch Stadium.
The stadium was originally known as the Addington Sho ...
, saw the Crusaders again reach the playoffs. However, they were defeated by the (eventual champion)
Chiefs in the semi-final.
2017–2023
In 2017, Scott Robertson took over as head coach. The Crusaders lost 3–12 to the
British & Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England national rugby union team, England, Ireland national rugby union team, Ireland, Scotland national rugby union team, Scotland, and ...
in
Christchurch
Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...
, during the
Lions tour to New Zealand.
The team went on to win their 8th Super Rugby title, defeating the
Lions
The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus ''Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is se ...
(25–17) in the final on 5 August 2017 at
Ellis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium (known as Emirates Airline Park for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union and association football stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by th ...
in
Johannesburg
Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...
.
In 2018, the Crusaders played the Lions again in the final. This time they won (37–18) at home to capture their ninth title.
In 2019, they defeated the
Jaguares from
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
(19–3) at home to win their 3rd consecutive Super Rugby title, and 10th championship overall.
After 7 rounds of the 2020 Super Rugby season, the Crusaders were leading the NZ conference and were in 3rd overall (behind the
Sharks
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...
and
Brumbies
The ACT Brumbies (known from 2005 to 2022 as simply the Brumbies) is an Australian professional rugby union team based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), The team competes in Super Rugby and named for the feral horses which inh ...
) but the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the competition after the 7th round. However, in June 2020 a domestic Super Rugby competition started called
Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due ...
. The Crusaders won the overall title in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020, winning 7 out of 8 games. Their 36-game win streak at Orangetheory Stadium was broken however by the
Hurricanes
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure area, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its locat ...
in Round 7, who defeated them (32–34). The Crusaders dropped the physical trophy in post-match celebrations, chipping the
pounamu
Pounamu is a term for several types of hard and durable stone found in the South Island of New Zealand. They are highly valued in New Zealand, and carvings made from pounamu play an important role in Māori culture.
Name
The Māori word ...
''
mere
Mere may refer to:
Places
* Mere, Belgium, a village in East Flanders
* Mere, Cheshire, England
* Mere, Wiltshire, England
People
* Mere Broughton (1938–2016), New Zealand Māori language activist and unionist
* Mere Smith, American television ...
'' that was on it.
The Crusaders returned to Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021. Despite losses to the
Highlanders (12–33) and the
Chiefs (25–26), they went on to beat the Chiefs in the final and win their 5th consecutive title in a (24–13) victory. Following that, they went into the Super Rugby Trans Tasman competition and beat the Brumbies (31–29),
Reds
Reds may refer to:
General
* Red (political adjective), supporters of Communism or socialism
* ''Reds'' (film), a 1981 American film starring and directed by Warren Beatty
* Reds (January Uprising), a faction of the Polish insurrectionists duri ...
(63–28),
Waratahs (54–28),
Force
In physics, a force is an influence that can cause an Physical object, object to change its velocity unless counterbalanced by other forces. In mechanics, force makes ideas like 'pushing' or 'pulling' mathematically precise. Because the Magnitu ...
(29–21) and
Rebels
A rebel is a participant in a rebellion.
Rebel or rebels may also refer to:
People
* Rebel (given name)
* Rebel (surname)
* Patriot (American Revolution), during the American Revolution
* American Southerners, as a form of self-identification; ...
(52–26) but came up just short on points difference needed to be able to make the final.
In 2022 and 2023, the Crusaders won their 11th and 12th full Super Rugby title (14th Overall) in the newly formed Super Rugby Pacific competition by beating the
Blues
Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
(21–7) and the Chiefs (25–20). At the end of the 2023 Grand Final, the Scott Robertson dynasty was complete and it marked the end of an era for Crusader #26 as a former player and as head coach.
2024–
In June 2023,
Rob Penney
Robin Hugh Penney (born 27 April 1964) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former representative player. Generally known as Rob Penney he played in the positions of Flanker or No.8 throughout his career, most notably for Canterbury. He has s ...
was announced as the Crusaders Head Coach for 2024 and 2025.
After winning 7 consecutive titles, the Crusaders slumped to a 4 win and 10 loss season in 2024 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015. After a thorough review of an abysmal 2024 season, the Crusaders decided to keep Penney as Head Coach for 2025 and will finish out the remainder of his 2-year contract with the team.
Name and colours

According to the club, the Crusaders' name was chosen to reflect the "crusading nature of Canterbury rugby".
A potential name was also the ''Plainsmen''; however, this was not chosen, as "Crusaders" recalled the English heritage of the city of Christchurch.
The club adopted Canterbury's traditional sporting colours of red and black, as worn by
Canterbury
Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...
.
In the aftermath of the 15 March 2019
Christchurch mosque shootings
Two consecutive mass shootings took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. They were committed by a single perpetrator during Friday prayer, first at the Al Noor Mosque in Riccarton, at 1:40p.m. and almost immediately afterwards ...
at
Al Noor Mosque and
Linwood Islamic Centre
The Linwood Islamic Centre was a Sunni Islamic mosque in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand. Opened in 2018, targeted in the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, the mosque was demolished in 2023, with plans to establish a new mosque on the site ...
in
Christchurch
Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
which killed 51 people and injured 50 more, the Crusaders considered the idea changing the team name because the symbolism and imagery was considered to be "offensive to some in the community due to its association with the religious
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding t ...
between
Christians
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...
and
Muslims
Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
" according to New Zealand Rugby Executive Steve Tew but ultimately though it was kept and remained unchanged for the 2020 season. The Crusaders management led by Colin Mansbridge, revealed a new logo to replace the knight and sword in late 2019.
Franchise area
The Crusaders' franchise area consists of the regions controlled by the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman and West Coast rugby unions.
Before 2006, when the
NPC was reorganised, Canterbury was the only union playing division one (now
Bunnings NPC
Bunnings Group Limited, trading as Bunnings Warehouse or Bunnings, is an Australian hardware and garden centre chain. The chain has been owned by Wesfarmers since 1994, and has stores in Australia and New Zealand.
Bunnings was founded in Pert ...
) within the Crusaders' catchment. As a result, the majority of Crusaders players were also listed with Canterbury. Today, the Crusaders' catchment contains two Bunnings NPC sides – Canterbury and Tasman.
Grounds
The Crusaders' main home ground was the 36,000-capacity AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
However, they stopped playing there during the 2011 Super Rugby season due to damage inflicted by the February Christchurch earthquake. The Crusaders usually took one game each year to another part of the franchise area, most often when the
New Zealand cricket team
The New Zealand national cricket team represents New Zealand in men's international cricket. Nicknamed the Black Caps (), they played their first Test in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth country to play Test cricket. ...
was playing at AMI Stadium.
Previous venues included Trafalgar Park in
Nelson
Nelson may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey
* ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers
* ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...
, and Fraser Park in
Timaru
Timaru (; ) is a port city in the southern Canterbury Region of New Zealand, located southwest of Christchurch and about northeast of Dunedin on the eastern Pacific Ocean, Pacific coast of the South Island. The Timaru urban area is home to peo ...
.
With AMI Stadium still out of commission, the Crusaders adopted
Rugby League Park
Rugby League Park is a sports stadium in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is currently known for sponsorship reasons as Apollo Projects Stadium, and non-commercially as Christchurch Stadium.
The stadium was originally known as the Addington Sho ...
(which has been renamed Christchurch Stadium temporarily) in
Addington as their home ground for that and future seasons to recentralise their games in one location as opposed to the road show that was the 2011 season. The ground had a limited makeover, taking it to an 18,600 capacity stadium and bringing its facilities to the minimum standards required by the Super Rugby competition.
The Crusaders' management proposed playing a 2005 regular season match in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
when Jade Stadium was unavailable.
Although five of the seven unions within the Crusaders region supported having the regular season game in Melbourne, the
New Zealand Rugby Union
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in New Zealand. It was founded in 1892 as the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU), 12 years after the first provincial unions in New Zealand. In 1949 it b ...
(NZRU) vetoed the proposal.
In 2006, the Crusaders did play a pre-season match in Melbourne against the Western Force at
Olympic Park Stadium.
They did the same in the 2008 preseason as well, also against the Force.
Due to the 2011 earthquake, the Crusaders played four games at Trafalgar Park, and two in Timaru during their 2011 season. They also played a "home" game in Wellington in Round 18 against Hurricanes, and a special home match against the
Sharks
Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...
at
Twickenham
Twickenham ( ) is a suburban district of London, England, on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historic counties of England, Historically in Middlesex, since 1965 it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, who ...
in London. The London match was a fundraiser for earthquake relief, and was the first Super Rugby match ever contested outside of the three participating countries. In the first 30 hours of ticket sales, over 30,000 were purchased; a spokesman for
United Ticketmaster indicated that the response was the strongest he had experienced for a rugby match outside of internationals.
In January 2023 construction began on
Te Kaha Stadium as a new home grounds for the Crusaders. The stadium will seat 30,000 spectators, and will feature a fixed roof, becoming the second fully-covered stadium in New Zealand after
Forsyth Barr Stadium
Forsyth Barr Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. At various stages of development it was also known as Dunedin Stadium or Awatea Street Stadium, or its non-commercial official name during the 2011 Rugby World Cup and 2 ...
in
Dunedin
Dunedin ( ; ) is the second-most populous city in the South Island of New Zealand (after Christchurch), and the principal city of the Otago region. Its name comes from ("fort of Edin"), the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the capital of S ...
. The current planned date for opening is April 2026.
Development programmes
The Crusaders currently use their Academy to develop their players for the future and have had many players who have graduated from their academy and who have come through their system go on to play in
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
and for the
All Blacks
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...
. They use the Development XV (Crusaders Knights), Junior Crusaders (U18) and the Crusaders (U20) as a pathway to provide future players the opportunity to be able to play professional rugby. They also have an International Academy Players Programme that primarily focuses on selecting young, up and coming players from around the globe and provides them with the opportunity to travel to
Christchurch
Christchurch (; ) is the largest city in the South Island and the List of cities in New Zealand, second-largest city by urban area population in New Zealand. Christchurch has an urban population of , and a metropolitan population of over hal ...
,
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
, to learn and gain more experience about rugby in the Crusaders environment.
Honours
Super Rugby (1996–Present)
* Champions (12)
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
,
1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
,
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
,
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
,
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
,
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
,
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
,
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
,
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
,
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
,
2023
Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...
* Runners-up (4)
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
,
2004
2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO).
Events January
* January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
,
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
,
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
* Super Rugby Aotearoa Champions (2)
2020
The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of even ...
,
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
* Playoff Appearances (23)
1998
1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''.
Events January
* January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...
,
1999
1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons.
Events January
* January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers.
* January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
,
2000
2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year.
Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...
,
2002
The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...
,
2003
2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater.
In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War.
Demographic ...
,
2004
2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO).
Events January
* January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...
,
2005
2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...
,
2006
2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Events
January
* January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute.
* January 12 – A stampede during t ...
,
2007
2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year.
Events
January
* January 1
**Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
,
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
,
2009
2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...
,
2010
The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...
,
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
,
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
,
2013
2013 was the first year since 1987 to contain four unique digits (a span of 26 years).
2013 was designated as:
*International Year of Water Cooperation
*International Year of Quinoa
Events
January
* January 5 – 2013 Craig, Alask ...
,
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
,
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
,
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
,
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
,
2021
Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...
,
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
,
2023
Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...
* New Zealand/Australasian Conference Champions (5)
2011
The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...
,
2014
The year 2014 was marked by the surge of the Western African Ebola epidemic, West African Ebola epidemic, which began in 2013, becoming the List of Ebola outbreaks, most widespread outbreak of the Ebola, Ebola virus in human history, resul ...
,
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
,
2019
This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year.
Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...
Records and achievements
Season standings
A season-by-season summary of the Crusaders regular season results is shown below:
:
:
Notes
''Teams were awarded four points for a bye during the Super Rugby seasons from 2011 to 2013. Each team took two bye rounds each season. These additional 8 points are included in their season points tally.''
''All matches after Round 7 were cancelled. the season remained incomplete and no champion was awarded.''
''Super Rugby Aotearoa was announced as a stand-in replacement competition for Super Rugby, between New Zealand Super Rugby sides. It was played as a round robin competition, with no finals. All teams played the other four teams twice, with the title awarded to the highest ranked team at the conclusion of the round robin fixtures. The final round match between the Crusaders and Blues was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, with each team receiving 2 competition points.''
''Super Rugby Aotearoa adopted the same format in 2021 as the inaugural tournament in 2020, with the addition of a final between the top two ranked teams at the conclusion of the round robin stage.''
''Super Rugby Trans Tasman was a crossover competition between the teams involved in Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa named the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa for sponsorship purposes was a professional men's rugby union national club competition in New Zealand. Originally created to supplement the 2020 Super Rugby season, which was suspended due ...
and Super Rugby AU
Super Rugby AU, formerly named the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for sponsorship purposes, was a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended ...
. Each team from Super Rugby AU played each team from Super Rugby Aotearoa once, and vice versa. A final was played between the top two seeded teams at the conclusion of the round robin matches.''
Results per opposition
Crusaders Super Rugby record vs all opponents
Individual records

* Most Points in a career: 1,708 (Dan Carter)
* Most Points in a season: 221 (Dan Carter, 2006)
* Most Points in a match: 31 (Tom Taylor, v Stormers, 2012)
* Most Tries in a career: 66 (Sevu Reece)
* Most Tries in a season: 15 (Rico Gear, 2005)
* Most Tries in a match: 5 (Macca Springer, v Force, 2025)
* Most Conversions in a career: 287 (Dan Carter)
* Most Conversions in a season: 57 (Richie Mounga, 2023)
* Most Conversions in a match: 13 (Andrew Mehrtens, v NSW Waratahs, 2002)
* Most Penalty goals in a career: 307 (Dan Carter)
* Most Penalty goals in a season: 46 (Colin Slade, 2014)
* Most Penalty goals in a match: 8 (Tom Taylor, v Stormers, 2012)
* Most Dropped goals in a career: 17 (Andrew Mehrtens)
* Most Dropped goals in a season: 4 (Andrew Mehrtens, 1998, 1999, 2002)
* Most Dropped goals in a match: 3 (Andrew Mehrtens, v Highlanders, 1998)
* Most Appearances: 202 (Wyatt Crockett)
Team Records
* Highest Regular Season Placing: 1st (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2018, 2019)
* Most Wins in a Season: 17 (2017)
* Most Points in a Season: 677 (2018)
* Most Tries in a Season: 94 (2018)
* Fewest Wins in a Season: 2 (1996)
* Fewest Points in a Season: 231 (2009)
* Fewest Tries in a Season: 24 (1996)
* Biggest Win: 96–19 (77 point win in 2002 vs Waratahs – Christchurch)
* Biggest Loss: 16–52 (36 point loss in 1996 vs Reds – Brisbane)
* Most points ever scored in a game: 96 (2002 vs Waratahs – Christchurch)
* Fewest points ever scored in a game: 0 (2009 vs Highlanders – Dunedin)
* Longest Winning Streak: 19 (2018 vs Bulls – 2019 vs Waratahs)
*Longest Unbeaten Streak: 19 (2018 vs Bulls – 2019 vs Waratahs with the Highlanders Game March 2019 abandoned)
* Longest Home Winning Streak: 36 (2017 vs Brumbies – 2020 vs Hurricanes)
* First to 100 Wins: Round 10, 2007 season (Crusaders defeated the Western Force 53–0)
* First to 200 Wins: Round 16, 2016 season (Crusaders defeated the Rebels 85–26)
* First to 300 Wins: Round 10, 2024 season (Crusaders defeated the Rebels 39–0)
All Time Records
* Games played: 449
* Games won: 315
* Games lost: 123
* Games drawn: 11
* Winning percentage: (70%)
* Home Wins: 185 (83%)
* Away Wins: 130 (58%)
* Points for: 12,302
* Points against: 9,101
* Tries for: 1,633
* Tries conceded: 1,061
Playoffs
* Games played: 49
* Games won: 39
* Games lost: 10
* Games drawn: 0
* Winning percentage: (80%)
* Home Wins: 31 (100%)
* Away Wins: 8 (44%)
* Points for: 1,418
* Points against: 854
* Tries for: 148
* Tries conceded: 90
(Record updated as of 2025 season)
In addition to winning more Super Rugby titles than any other team, the franchise also holds several
competition records, including most points in a game and most
tries in a game, both achieved in their 96–19 victory over the Waratahs in 2002. The Crusaders also hold the record for the fewest points scored in a game when they were defeated by the
Highlanders 6–0 in 2009. They have also scored the most points in a season (677) in 2018 and most tries in a season (94) in 2018.
Individual players also hold records:
Andrew Mehrtens
Andrew Philip Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He was regarded as a top first five-eighth, having played first for Canterbury in 1993, before being selected for the All Blacks (New Zealand's national ...
for most points in a Super 12 season (206 in 1998), and
Rico Gear
Rico Levi Gear (born 26 February 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He was a specialist right wing but also covered midfield positions.
He is the older brother of New Zealand winger Hosea Gear
Club career
Gear was educated at G ...
for most tries in a season (15 in 2005). Twenty Four players have played over 100 games for the franchise:
Wyatt Crockett
Wyatt William Vogels Crockett (born 24 January 1983) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played at prop for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, Canterbury and Tasman in the National Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand national tea ...
,
Samuel Whitelock,
Kieran Read
Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks.
Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...
,
Andy Ellis,
Owen Franks
Owen Thomas Franks (born 23 December 1987) is a New Zealand rugby player who currently plays for Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition. His usual position is tighthead prop.
Franks has previously represented the Can ...
,
Ryan Crotty
Ryan Stevenson Crotty (born 23 September 1988) is a New Zealand-born former rugby union Rugby player. Crotty has previously played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and Canterbury in the ITM Cup, captaining both teams. He is curr ...
,
Corey Flynn,
Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh McCaw (born 31 December 1980) is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player. He captain (sports), captained the New Zealand national rugby union team, New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 t ...
,
Dan Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...
,
Matt Todd
Matthew Brendon Todd (born 24 March 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Crusaders (rugby), Crusaders.
Todd played as a rugby union/flanker, flanker for 25 tests for New Zealand ...
,
Luke Romano
Luke Romano (born 16 February 1986) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as a lock for the Blues in Super Rugby and Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup. He played for the All Blacks from 2012 - 2017 and was a key member of 2015 Rugby Wo ...
,
Mitchell Drummond
Mitchell David Drummond (born 15 February 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a halfback for in the Bunnings NPC and the in the Super Rugby competition.
Early career
Born and raised in Nelson in the South Isla ...
,
Codie Taylor
Codie Joshua Dane Taylor (born 31 March 1991) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and is contracted to for New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship ...
,
Rueben Thorne,
Caleb Ralph
Caleb Stan Ralph (born 10 September 1977 in Rotorua) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Ralph began his first-class career with Bay of Plenty, then moved to Auckland before heading to Canterbury. He started his Super Rugby career with the ...
,
Leon MacDonald
Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, and former head coach for the Auckland Blues rugby team, who played 56 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He played as a first five-eighth ...
,
David Havili
David Kaetau Havili (born 23 December 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a centre for in the Bunnings NPC, the in Super Rugby and the New Zealand national team the All Blacks.
Early life
Havili is of Pākeha and Ton ...
,
Joe Moody,
Greg Somerville
Greg Mardon Somerville is a New Zealand rugby union player. He is a former All Black and a specialised tighthead prop who can also play loosehead. Somerville made his All Black debut in 2000 against Tonga, a match in which the All Blacks won 102 ...
,
Chris Jack
Christopher Raymond Jack (born 5 September 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock. He played for Canterbury and the Tasman Mako in the National Provincial Championship and its successor, the Air New Zealand Cup; ...
,
Scott Barrett,
Richie Mo'unga
Richie Mo'unga (born 25 May 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a first five-eighth for Japan Rugby League One club Toshiba Brave Lupus and the New Zealand national team.
Early life
Mo'unga was born in Chris ...
,
Justin Marshall
Justin Warren Marshall (born 5 August 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played 81 games for the New Zealand All Blacks between 1995 and 2005.
Marshall played for the in the Super Rugby, Super 12 from 1996 to 2005, winning ...
,
Jordan Taufua. The Crusaders have also had three
International Rugby Board
World Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international competit ...
Players of the Year:
Dan Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...
(2005), (2012), (2015),
Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh McCaw (born 31 December 1980) is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player. He captain (sports), captained the New Zealand national rugby union team, New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 t ...
(2006), (2009), (2010) and
Kieran Read
Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks.
Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...
(2013).
Current squad
The squad for the
2025 Super Rugby Pacific season
The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season (known as SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific in Australia, Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in Fiji and DHL Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand) is the 30th season of Super Rugby, an annual rugby union competition orga ...
is:
Past players
List of All Blacks
Due to the success of the Crusaders throughout
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
, many players that have represented the Crusaders have gone on to play international test rugby for the
All Blacks
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...
. List of
All Blacks
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of New Zealand, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for th ...
that have represented the Crusaders:
Notable players
Twenty Four players have played over 100 games for the franchise.
In order of most capped:
*
Wyatt Crockett
Wyatt William Vogels Crockett (born 24 January 1983) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played at prop for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, Canterbury and Tasman in the National Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand national tea ...
(202)
*
Samuel Whitelock (180)
*
Owen Franks
Owen Thomas Franks (born 23 December 1987) is a New Zealand rugby player who currently plays for Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition. His usual position is tighthead prop.
Franks has previously represented the Can ...
(163)
*
Kieran Read
Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks.
Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...
(157)
*
Ryan Crotty
Ryan Stevenson Crotty (born 23 September 1988) is a New Zealand-born former rugby union Rugby player. Crotty has previously played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and Canterbury in the ITM Cup, captaining both teams. He is curr ...
(156)
*
Andy Ellis (155)
*
Corey Flynn (151)
*
Mitchell Drummond
Mitchell David Drummond (born 15 February 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a halfback for in the Bunnings NPC and the in the Super Rugby competition.
Early career
Born and raised in Nelson in the South Isla ...
(150)
*
Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh McCaw (born 31 December 1980) is a retired New Zealand professional rugby union player. He captain (sports), captained the New Zealand national rugby union team, New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, in 110 out of his 148 t ...
(145)
*
Codie Taylor
Codie Joshua Dane Taylor (born 31 March 1991) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and is contracted to for New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship ...
(145)
*
Dan Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...
(141)
*
Matt Todd
Matthew Brendon Todd (born 24 March 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Crusaders (rugby), Crusaders.
Todd played as a rugby union/flanker, flanker for 25 tests for New Zealand ...
(141)
*
David Havili
David Kaetau Havili (born 23 December 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a centre for in the Bunnings NPC, the in Super Rugby and the New Zealand national team the All Blacks.
Early life
Havili is of Pākeha and Ton ...
(141)
*
Luke Romano
Luke Romano (born 16 February 1986) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as a lock for the Blues in Super Rugby and Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup. He played for the All Blacks from 2012 - 2017 and was a key member of 2015 Rugby Wo ...
(136)
*
Scott Barrett (131)
*
Reuben Thorne
Reuben David Thorne (born 2 January 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union player, and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. Now involved with Big Brother Big Sister and is the Christ College first xv coach.
Professional career and ...
(129)
*
Joe Moody (128)
*
Caleb Ralph
Caleb Stan Ralph (born 10 September 1977 in Rotorua) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. Ralph began his first-class career with Bay of Plenty, then moved to Auckland before heading to Canterbury. He started his Super Rugby career with the ...
(126)
*
Leon MacDonald
Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, and former head coach for the Auckland Blues rugby team, who played 56 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He played as a first five-eighth ...
(122)
*
Greg Somerville
Greg Mardon Somerville is a New Zealand rugby union player. He is a former All Black and a specialised tighthead prop who can also play loosehead. Somerville made his All Black debut in 2000 against Tonga, a match in which the All Blacks won 102 ...
(115)
*
Chris Jack
Christopher Raymond Jack (born 5 September 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a lock. He played for Canterbury and the Tasman Mako in the National Provincial Championship and its successor, the Air New Zealand Cup; ...
(114)
*
Richie Mo'unga
Richie Mo'unga (born 25 May 1994) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a first five-eighth for Japan Rugby League One club Toshiba Brave Lupus and the New Zealand national team.
Early life
Mo'unga was born in Chris ...
(109)
*
Justin Marshall
Justin Warren Marshall (born 5 August 1973) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played 81 games for the New Zealand All Blacks between 1995 and 2005.
Marshall played for the in the Super Rugby, Super 12 from 1996 to 2005, winning ...
(105)
*
Jordan Taufua (101)
Half-back Justin Marshall was the first player to achieve the feat, playing for the Crusaders between 1996 and 2005.
Both Thorne and Ralph achieved the 100-game mark at the same time. However, Ralph had played nine of his matches for other franchises: three for the Chiefs and six for the Blues.
Ralph achieved the "100 Crusaders games" feat later that season; remarkably, they were played consecutively.
Greg Somerville became the next player to contribute 100 games for the franchise, achieving this in the 2006 semi-final against the Bulls.
The first match of the 2008 season was Leon MacDonald's 100th game,
and on 11 March 2011 Chris Jack started against the Brumbies to play his 100th match for the Crusaders. The Crusaders also boast three winners of the
IRB International Player of the Year
The World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year is an award presented annually by World Rugby at the World Rugby Awards. It is given to honour "the achievements of those involved at the highest level of the world game on the field". First presente ...
Award:
Dan Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...
(2005, 2012 and 2015),
Kieran Read
Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks.
Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...
(2013) and Richie McCaw (2006, 2009 and 2010).
1996–2005 Team of the decade
On the eve of the last Super 12 final in 2005, a panel of experts picked the Crusaders team of the decade, which was published by the Christchurch Press. The experts chosen to select the team were:
Tane Norton
Rangitane Will Norton (30 March 1942 – 4 August 2023), commonly known as Tane Norton, was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played at the hooker position. He played for Linwood before he first represented in 1969. In 1977, he captained ...
(former All Blacks captain), Vance Stewart (first Crusaders coach), Dick Tayler (president of supporters club), Bob Schumacher (former Christchurch Press rugby writer) and Tony Smith (Christchurch Press rugby writer).
The most notable omissions from the team were
Dan Carter
Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...
, Richard Loe, and Reuben Thorne.
Daniel Carter was omitted due to the strength of Andrew Mehrtens and Aaron Mauger who occupied the
first
First most commonly refers to:
* First, the ordinal form of the number 1
First or 1st may also refer to:
Acronyms
* Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-Centimeters, an astronomical survey carried out by the Very Large Array
* Far Infrared a ...
and
second five-eighth positions respectively, and because he was regarded as "the star of the next decade". Despite being considered one of Canterbury's best ever props, Richard Loe missed out as he was only in the team for the unsuccessful 1996 season.
The former All Black captain Reuben Thorne was omitted due to the quality of players in the
lock
Lock(s) or Locked may refer to:
Common meanings
*Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance
*Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal
Arts and entertainme ...
and
blindside flanker
Flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Each team of 15 players includes two flankers, who play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside or openside flankers, numbers 6 and 7 respectively. The name comes from ...
positions. The most unlikely inclusion was for
Norm Berryman
Norman Rangi Berryman (15 April 1973 – 22 June 2015) was a New Zealand rugby union player who played as a winger and centre. Accessed 1 March 2009 He played one Test for the All Blacks, and represented Northland, the Crusaders and the Chief ...
at
right wing
Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...
.
Berryman was picked over Marika Vunibaka and Afato So'oalo due to his crucial tries late in the 1998 and 1999 seasons that helped the Crusaders qualify for the semi-finals.
The team:
Crusaders Hall of Fame
A Crusaders Hall of Fame was created in 2023. A selection committee was formed to meet twice a year and help select the annual inductees. The current committee is: Bob Stewart (Chairperson), John Miles, Brian Ashby,
Lesley Murdoch,
Sam Broomhall,
Angus Gardiner,
Rob Penney
Robin Hugh Penney (born 27 April 1964) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former representative player. Generally known as Rob Penney he played in the positions of Flanker or No.8 throughout his career, most notably for Canterbury. He has s ...
and
Willie Heinz.
The Hall of fame inductees are:
Coaches
The Crusaders were coached in their first season by
Vance Stewart, who was assisted by
Aussie Mclean.
Stewart was replaced by
Wayne Smith in 1997; McLean too was replaced, by Peter Sloane. Smith continued as coach until he was appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 season.
Robbie Deans
Robert Maxwell Deans (born 4 September 1959) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, currently the head coach of Japanese club Saitama Wild Knights. He was head coach of the Australian national team between 2008 and 2013. Deans prev ...
took over the reins for the 2000 season. Deans has had several assistants: in 2000 and 2001 his assistant was
Steve Hansen
Sir Stephen William Hansen and High Chief of Vaiala, (born 7 May 1959) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is also the father of Black Ferns assistant coach, Whitney Hansen.
He was the head coach of the New Zealand na ...
; in 2002,
Colin Cooper
Colin Terence Cooper (born 28 February 1967) is an English football manager and former professional footballer.
As a player, he was a defender who notably played in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. He played over 50 ...
; in 2003 and 2004, Don Hayes; and in 2005 and 2006,
Vern Cotter
Vernon Anthony Cotter (born 27 January 1962) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He currently coaches the Blues (Super Rugby), Blues in Super Rugby.
He started his coaching career at Bay of Plenty including winning the Ranfur ...
.
Deans' assistant for the 2007 season was former Crusader
Mark Hammett
Mark Garry 'Hammer' Hammett (born 13 July 1972) is a New Zealand rugby union coach (sport), coach and former player. Having represented Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Canterbury provincially 76 times, and the Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders ...
.
Deans was appointed coach of
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
in December 2007, but was allowed to continue coaching the Crusaders in the 2008 season. Former captain,
Todd Blackadder
Todd Blackadder (born 20 September 1971) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player and professional rugby coach. He played 12 tests (25 games) for the All Blacks, and had 14 appearances as captain. Blackadder captained the Crusaders to three S ...
was appointed his successor in July 2008, with Hammett continuing as assistant coach.
Hammett was appointed Hurricanes coach from the beginning of the 2011 season, and consequently former prop
Dave Hewett
David Norman Hewett (born 14 July 1971) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. During his playing career, he played as a prop for Canterbury, the Crusaders, the Scarlets and Edinburgh.
Rugby union career
Player
He played for th ...
was appointed assistant forwards coach. In June 2016,
Scott Robertson, former Crusaders player and former head coach of the
Canterbury
Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...
National Provincial team and the
New Zealand Under 20 rugby team, was announced as the Crusaders head coach from 2017, and finished his tenure with the team in 2023. On June 6, 2023,
Rob Penney
Robin Hugh Penney (born 27 April 1964) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former representative player. Generally known as Rob Penney he played in the positions of Flanker or No.8 throughout his career, most notably for Canterbury. He has s ...
was announced as the replacement for Scott Robertson as head coach of the Crusaders. He is assisted by former Crusaders Flanker
Matt Todd
Matthew Brendon Todd (born 24 March 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Crusaders (rugby), Crusaders.
Todd played as a rugby union/flanker, flanker for 25 tests for New Zealand ...
from 2024 onwards.
Head Coach
*
Rob Penney
Robin Hugh Penney (born 27 April 1964) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former representative player. Generally known as Rob Penney he played in the positions of Flanker or No.8 throughout his career, most notably for Canterbury. He has s ...
Assistant coaches
*
Ryan Crotty
Ryan Stevenson Crotty (born 23 September 1988) is a New Zealand-born former rugby union Rugby player. Crotty has previously played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and Canterbury in the ITM Cup, captaining both teams. He is curr ...
(assistant coach)
*
James Marshall (backs)
*
Brad Mooar
Brad Mooar (born 28-Aug-1974) is a New Zealand professional rugby union coach. He was previously assistant coach at Southern Kings and Crusaders (rugby union), Crusaders and was head coach at the Scarlets in Wales. Nowadays is assistant coach i ...
(assistant coach)
*
Dan Perrin (forwards)
*
Matt Todd
Matthew Brendon Todd (born 24 March 1988) is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Crusaders (rugby), Crusaders.
Todd played as a rugby union/flanker, flanker for 25 tests for New Zealand ...
(assistant coach)
Former coaches and records
Coaches
Notes:
Official
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...
competition matches only, including finals.
Notes
References
Print sources
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External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Crusaders (Rugby)
Rugby union teams in New Zealand
Rugby clubs established in 1996
Sport in the Canterbury Region
Crusaders, 2006
Super Rugby teams