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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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Latest Comments
"they [All Blacks] are nuggety and resourceful and don’t wilt. They are prepared to win the hard way, accumulating points by any means necessary."
Sounds like you're describing your arch-nemesis Ben 😁
Go to commentsThis article only shows a part of SBs failings as England Coach. Firstly his reputation st Leicester was false, his SA and Welsh players won the matches not his coaching prowess. He has Wigglesworth as attack coach, someone who rarely attacked when playing. His player selection is awful, ignoring form players and sticking with failed internationals. He picks players that he knows and will be easy to manage for him. What on earth is Slade doing when even for Exeter he does not make line breaks with steppping, pace or guile, why on earth are Cole,George,Steward,Ford,Iseweke and a few other anywhere near the Team. Borthwick is awful as Head Coach of England.
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