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Jack Goodhue signs contract extension with Crusaders

Jack Goodhue. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue headlines a trio of re-signings made by the Crusaders for the 2020 Super Rugby campaign.

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Goodhue joins lock Mitchell Dunshea and flanker Billy Harmon in re-committing to the franchise for next season, taking the number of confirmed players for next year for the back-to-back reigning champions to 14.

23-year-old Goodhue made his debut for the All Blacks last year, and has been capped seven times internationally, while also having made 37 appearances for the Crusaders since his debut for the club in 2017.

The capture of his signature will be a significant gain for the Crusaders, who will be without six All Blacks named in this year’s squad, including vice-captain and fellow midfielder Ryan Crotty, who will join Kubota Spears in the Japanese Top League in 2020.

Other All Blacks set to leave Christchurch include Owen Franks (Northampton), captain Sam Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights), Jordan Taufua (Leicester), Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz), and Israel Dagg (retired).

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has already begun preparing for life without Crotty, naming Goodhue as one of two vice-captains for their clash against the Sharks two weeks ago.

Goodhue’s debut campaign in 2017 was also Dunshea’s first season in Super Rugby, although the 23-year-old lock only had three caps to his name coming into 2019.

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However, an impressive showing against the Bulls in Pretoria last week will have bolstered his credentials within the Crusaders set-up as he capitalised on the absence of Whitelock (parental leave) and Quentin Strange (foot injury).

Without Whitelock in the selection frame for next year, Dunshea’s chances of playing more regularly for the competition leaders will be increased.

Harmon was first named in the Crusaders last year following a string of admirable campaigns in the Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury, and after featuring three times this year, he could be another that benefits from the absence of an All Black, with fellow openside flanker Matt Todd is yet to announce his playing future beyond 2019.

Goodhue, Dunshea and Harmon join 11 other players to re-commit their services to the Crusaders next year, including Codie Taylor, Richie Mo’unga, Scott Barrett, Joe Moody, George Bridge, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Michael Alaalatoa, Whetu Douglas, Ethan Blackadder and Oliver Jager.

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More re-signings are expected to follow, including that of superstar rookie wing Sevu Reece.

The Crsuaders are set to finish their tour of South Africa this weekend when they face the Stormers in Cape Town.

In other news:

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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