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Crusaders farewell club stalwarts in 2025 squad
By Ned Lester
Some experienced heads have called time on illustrious Crusaders careers ahead of the 2025 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Names like Joe Moody, Ryan Crotty and Owen Franks are all absent from the club's squad naming today, along with notable young guns like playmaker Fergus Burke and hooker Brodie McAlister who is currently with the All Blacks as injury cover.
The 14-time champions have recruited some intriguing talents in their place, including the headline signing of former Wallaby James O'Connor. 2024 New Zealand U20 representative Aki Tuivailala has also been recruited, the versatile back is another Hamilton Boys High product to head south, joining fellow young guns Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara.
Wellington Lions star halfback Kyle Preston is fresh off an NPC title and joins the Crusaders, replacing veteran Willi Heinz in the squad. Xavier Saifoloi is another young prospect to keep an eye on in the loose forwards.
“We’ve got a great group, and all the coaches are looking forward to getting our hands on them and preparing together here at Rugby Park,” said Crusaders Head Coach Rob Penney.
“There is fantastic depth there, and a great mix of experience and youthful energy coming through.
“We’re excited to see what this group can do and build off our 2024 season.”
Crusaders squad for 2025:
Tamaiti Williams
Fletcher Newell
George Bower
Kershawl Sykes-Martin
Finlay Brewis
Seb Calder
Codie Taylor
George Bell
Ioane Moananu
Scott Barrett
Quinten Strange
Tahlor Cahill
Jamie Hannah
Antonio Shalfoon
Ethan Blackadder
Christian Lio-Willie
Tom Christie
Cullen Grace
Corey Kellow
Dominic Gardiner
Fletcher Anderson
Savier Saifoloi
Noah Hotham
Mitchell Drummond
Kyle Preston
James O'Connor
Rivez Reihana
Taha Kemara
David Havili
Braydon Ennor
Levi Aumua
Dallas McLeod
Will Jordan
Sevu Reece
Chay Fihaki
Macca Springer
Johnny McNicholl
Aki Tuivailala
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What, for being allowed to come in from the side ruck time with impunity, and being allowed to lay on the wrong side of the ruck continually, with berry saying " they're trying to roll away" lets face it, any other ref and Ireland would have had several in the bin for repeat offences.
Go to commentswhere SA really have an edge is in terms of systems and cohesion, not in terms of players.
the SA front 5 are a really great unit, but England contained them pretty well last year. Boks fans have a short memory if they think they'll be able to walk over George Martin.
I've been critical of England's selections at 9 & 10, but I don't think Williams & Libbok are convincing either, especially if Libbok is the primary goalkicker. Fassi is a good player, but a long way off a prime Willie le Roux.
And the bench is obviously great, but not thaaat great. Am is coming to the end of his career, and there's a bit of a lack of heft - if Martin handles Etzebeth like he has done before, its not clear what Rassie's plan B would be.
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