New Zealand Rugby make decision on Crusaders name change

Impey said a process was still in place to determine if the name would be changed long term.

“The process regarding the Crusaders name is setup, there’s a sub-committee of the New Zealand board working with the Crusaders board, to see which of the two options will be chosen – either a rebranded Crusaders name or a new name. There’s a process underway to do that, we don’t need to rush it.

“But they will be the Crusaders in 2020.”

New Zealand Rugby committed to changing the team’s contentious imagery and employed a research company to assess the merits of a name change following the March 15 mosque shootings which claimed 50 lives.

The Crusaders name, which they have held since Super Rugby began in 1996, winning a record nine championships along the way, has become a source of public contention as it was the title given to Christian armies who fought against Muslims early in the last millennium.

In March, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said passionate feedback had been heard on both sides of the debate but clearly the imagery of knights, horsemen and swords couldn’t be ignored for its negative connotations. Tew said Research First would consider two options for the 2020 season: retaining the Crusaders name but changing the branding and undertaking a complete rebranding.

This article first appeared on RugbyPass.com/nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission

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