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Super Rugby Pacific

Double blow for Crusaders system with two shock defects to league

Ben Smith

201 days ago

Harry Inch of the Crusaders charges forward during the Super Rugby trial match between Crusaders and Blues at Kirwee Rugby Club on January 31, 2025 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The Crusaders have been dealt a double blow as two highly touted prospects have defected to rugby league, according to a report.

Tasman Makos pair Harry Inch and Saumaki Saumaki, two New Zealand schoolboy reps in 2024, have reportedly left to pursue the NRL.

First five eighth Harry Inch had signed a three-year contract with the Makos but was unseen in this year’s NPC competition.

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The 19-year-old was a highly rated prospect by the Crusaders who trained and played in the pre-season with the top Crusaders squad, before representing the Crusaders U20 in March.

He has been granted a release to pursue a deal with the New Zealand Warriors according to TRU Chief Steve Mitchell.

“Our union is a stepping stone for players in their careers,” Mitchell told Nelson App.

“The timing of the approach from the agent wasn’t ideal given the stage of the season the Mako are at but you can’t hold back young players.”

Saumaki is a powerful loose forward who played blindside and No.8 at 1st XV level, who has linked up with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

“We weren’t even advised about that,” said Mitchell on losing Saumaki.

Both were integral members of the generational Nelson College 1st XV that made the national top four final last year, before making national rep honours with New Zealand.

Both played for Crusaders U20 this year and were eligible to return for a push for the New Zealand U20s in 2026.

The Crusaders had fought hard to retain Inch last year according to James Marshall, keeping the Warriors at bay.

“We had to fight pretty hard to keep him away from the Warriors, who offered him a pretty long-term deal up there,” said Crusaders assistant coach James Marshall in February.

“I was just stoked that we could get him in the environment because, man, I see a massive future for him.”

Comments

14 Comments

MK 200 days ago

What a load of rubbish. This is about 1 thing, money. Useless warriors paying more. Believe it or not there are other unions that he could have gone to , to get game time. He is obviously getting very poor advice to go to the warriors

JW 200 days ago

Good on him if he can play league better than he can rugby. Choose whichever you are going to accomplish more at I say.

MK 200 days ago

If this guy inch was any good, the roosters, Broncos or Panthers would have chased him. Going to tge warriors. Really ! Good ridence

Andrew Nichols 200 days ago

So Rugby develops these kids and the league gets the benefits…nice

Skinny Pins 201 days ago

Crusaders academy has lost Eli Odenryun, Harry Inch and Saumaki Saumaki in the space of a week. Those are 3 of the very best U20s talents in NZ. All very likely future ABs. Cru need to revisit their academy and do better to keep their best young talent.

JW 200 days ago

Like what? Theyve brought back the best 10 in the world from a few years ago to teach him, what more could you do to entice a young 10 into your team?

Also, hadn’t heard of these two. How good are they actually?

Tk 201 days ago

In the last 10 years a grand total of 3 players have worn the 10 jumper in tests for NZ. Zero world cups won and precious little time ranked world number 1. Yet no trust put into emerging talent and Razor still insists on holding that jumper for Mounga while only playing the other two. Why wouldn't a young guy look at other options?

B 201 days ago

Good on Harry and Saumaki… they’ll obviously be paid some big bucks as potential rugby league players…so why not take that opportunity…

Their future starts now and they won't be sitting around wasting time hoping for a decent contract from NZRU….money talks, bs walks..

JW 200 days ago

League pays very poorly at that level, it’s only your starters that get good money, not even reserve players would earn more than rugby, and theyre going for rolling training contracts.

CO 200 days ago

Better money and loads more global experiences, international tests and world cups in rugby. Poor agent written all over Inches decision. Probably felt he deserved a more rapid ascension in rugby than he received. It's trucking though the lack of turnover at Allblacks level in the ten jersey.

A S 201 days ago

What a load of nothing. Two players lost… two. Talk about melodramatic articles.

Over the sideline 201 days ago

Its so awesome that we will see a 31yo no 10 play for the Crusaders and that leads to a junior believing he has no future.

JH 178 days ago

Same with the All Blacks. The last AB with over 40 caps actually dropped was Owen Franks, almost 7 years ago now.

Once you get over that magic number your place in the squad seems to be guaranteed unless you’re injured, and then they can’t seem to rush you back quick enough the moment you’re fit. These underperforming veterans (and boy are there a lot of them) are basically blocking anyone else from ever taking that spot until they head overseas or retire.

No wonder these youngsters look at the landscape and leave.

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