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Crusaders farewell club stalwarts in 2025 squad

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.

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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.”

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Crusaders squad for 2025:

Tamaiti Williams

Fletcher Newell

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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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Comments

12 Comments
B
Bruiser 19 days ago

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

J
JWH 19 days ago

Woulda thought Rivez and Taha would get a go aye?

S
SadersMan 19 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.

J
JW 19 days ago

Could have done with him this year!

J
JWH 19 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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M
Mzilikazi 5 hours ago
'Welsh regional rugby has failed conclusively and there is no way back'

Thanks for the very comprehensive response, Rob. I have held off responding till I had seen the match v the WB's, and had a better look at Sam. I was interested that you knew him at Uni, played with him.


I thought overall he had a very good game. Was especially impressed by his passing, the timing and accuracy. Very good long passer. He kicks well out of hand, and strikes the ball well off the tee. His one miss could have been costly, but I would not put too much on that.


I did feel he did not pose a running threat, did to carry into contact enough, so the WB's defence was spared that worry.


I fully agree with you that Cullen now needs to give Sam and extended run at 10 for Leinster, not necessarily starting him in every game, but making sure he always gets significant game time, week in, week out.


I'm interested in your comment "if he had a bit more pace he’d have the potential to have sextons brains and bods skills." That would be some combination !


I also had a look at his background. I knew he was a Newbridge College lad, and see he played for them in the Cup Campaign that was never finished due to Covid restrictions. I remember that year well....pity as that was an all Kildare Final, with Clongowes the opponent. The big Dublin schools for once not featuring.


Same happened up in Ulster, two schools outside Belfast in the Final...Wallace and Armagh Royal. I follow Armagh from out here in Qld, as Kenny Hooks(6 caps for Ireland) had built a small school up to being one of the best in Ulster over 40 plus years coaching there. I coached Kenny for five years...Medallion/U 15 and first XV.. at Bangor GS.


Signing off, just hope and pray Sam Prendergast remains free of any serious injury, and we see him develop over the next 10 plus years.

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