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Super Rugby Pacific

Crusaders farewell club stalwarts in 2025 squad

By Ned Lester

39 days ago

Joe Moody of the All Blacks looks on during the 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Argentina Los Pumas at Bankwest Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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

Comments

12 Comments

Bruiser 39 days ago

James O'Connor a headline signing?? Desperation signing more like. Surely give younger talent a go

JWH 39 days ago

Woulda thought Rivez and Taha would get a go aye?

SadersMan 39 days ago

No matter who we recruit, putting them in the hands of Immortal SR Loser Coach Rob Penney will be a bloody underwhelming disaster. Also, why the hell we've employed JOC beats me. Like Penney, he's done nothing of note for years.

I can only hope we achieve above & beyond the Penney factor & that as I write, we are already shoulder-tapping Rangi for 2026 after Penney's contract expires next year. Or before if we show early signs of crashing & burning as in SRA 2024.

JW 39 days ago

Could have done with him this year!

JWH 39 days ago

I cannot BELIEVE we sold Gallagher 😢and McAlister. Two very talented players sold for no reason. Unbelievable. Kemara & Reihana better step up BIG TIME this season or there will be words, because JOC is rubbish.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 1 hour ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 1 hour ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 6 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU