'Still the team that can do it’: Ennor backs Crusaders to bounce back

Injured Crusaders midfielder Braydon Ennor insists the fallen giants can return to the top of Super Rugby Pacific this season. After winning seven titles in as many years, the Crusaders missed the playoffs completely last season after finishing ninth on the standings.

Without legendary coach Scott Robertson, and club greats Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock, the Crusaders started their new era in 2024 with five losses. While they were able to snap their winless run against the Chiefs, it wasn’t the turning point fans had hoped it would be.

With four wins from 14 matches, the Crusaders finished two competition points behind the Melbourne Rebels who made the playoffs cut in eighth place. Instead, the Hurricanes and Blues emerged as title contenders as the first and second seeds.

The Crusaders’ unprecedented title-winning streak ended abruptly and unexpectedly, but the players seem confident they can bounce back this season. At the season launch in Sydney on Wednesday, All Black Ennor spoke about the team’s work in the off-season.

“Having that chip on your shoulder is always good going into a new season,” Ennor said on Stan Sports’ Season Launch: Super Rugby Pacific.

“We’ve done a lot of work on bonding as a team; going on camps, going out to the rural parts of the region and building together as a team.

“Got a few new things up our sleeves, I won’t divulge yet but definitely looking forward to seeing some action out there.”

In last year’s Grand Final, Patrick Tuipulotu was an inspirational leader for the Blues after making a miraculous return from injury for the big dance. With thousands watching on at Auckland’s Eden Park, the hosts famously triumphed 41-10 on June 22^nd.

The Blues have named a familiar squad as they prepare to defend their title, but the marquee addition of All Black Beauden Barrett is a significant talking point. Barrett joins a star-studded cast at the Auckland-based franchise, with Vern Cotter returning as head coach.

Elsewhere in New Zealand, the Chiefs are looking to bounce back after losing back-to-back Grand Finals in 2023 and 2024. The Hurricanes also have a point to prove after finishing first on the ladder last time around before losing to the Chiefs in a semi-final upset.

The Crusaders were the only New Zealand franchise to fail to qualify for the Finals Series last time around, with the Highlanders placing sixth. But a fresh start in 2025 is a redeeming prospect for the Crusaders, who still believe they’re “the team that can do it.”

“We put that on ourselves as well. We like that feeling of being hunted,” Ennor explained.

“We don’t have it in a sense of not having won last year but we have it in a sense of we’re still the team that can do it and everyone believes that and we believe that.

“We’re looking forward to getting out there.”

The Crusaders kick off their season in a blockbuster Kiwi derby against the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Valentine’s Day. Across the ditch, the Waratahs will take on the Highlanders in Sydney at 7:35 pm local time later that day.