1
‘Hunger to play for the All Blacks’: Crusaders confirm Aumua signing
Following some recent speculation and discussion, the Crusaders have officially announced the signing of Moana Pasifika centre Levi Aumua on a two-year deal from 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
Former All Black Sir John Kirwan revealed on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown earlier this week that the in-form midfielder had inked a deal with the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia had reportedly chased Aumua’s services, and so had the Blues – but the Crusaders have officially won the race.
Having played more than 50 matches for Nelson-based NPC side Tasman Mako across two stints, Aumua is familiar with the region.
In a statement, Aumua expressed his “desire” to play for the All Blacks.
“I would like to say how very thankful I am to Moana Pasifika for providing me the platform over the last few years to get on the field and play and express myself with a great group of players,” Aumua said.
“In my career I have been lucky enough to play all over the world, but in recent times my desire to try (and) play for the All Blacks has intensified.
ADVERTISEMENT
“At the end of last year, I got a small taste with the All Blacks XV which only strengthened my hunger to play for the All Blacks.
“With this in mind, I have decided to commit myself to the Crusaders for the next two years, a group I know well from my time with Tasman Makos.
“For now, my focus is on finishing the season strong with Moana.”
Aumua has also represented the Chiefs and Blues, and was included in an historic All Blacks XV squad late last year.
But the 28-year-old has taken his game to an all-new level this career – although Moana Pasifika are still yet to win a match this season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Crusaders General Manager Professional Rugby, Angus Gardiner, said Aumua will bring “his own point of difference” to the champion franchise from next season.
“Levi is an extremely exciting player and we’re looking forward to him bringing his own point of difference to the playing group we’re building here at the Crusaders,” Gardiner said.
“He’s had an outstanding season with Moana Pasifika, his stats are undeniable and his outputs across the park are very high.
“His versatility will really open up our selection options in the ’24 season.”
Aumua has officially singed on for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season on a two-year deal.
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
4 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
2 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to comments