Crusaders 2025

[Canes4life]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Don’t see any updates in here so will update for those who aren’t aware.

Rives Reihana out for roughly a month with an ankle injury.
Johnny McNicholl out for up to 8 weeks with a hamstring.
Quinton Strange still a few weeks away from his return.
Finlay Brewis and Seb Calder both had shoulder injuries in the opening 20 minutes against the Blues on Friday. Unsure of the extent but according to Stuff, Penney said Brewis’ is more significant.

Adding to the list above.

• Codie Taylor will miss the first two weeks of the campaign with a hamstring injury
• Seb Calder is expected back in 4-5 weeks.
• Dominic Gardener is nursing a leg injury
• Ennor is also in doubt for the season opener after picking up a hand injury. Extent of the injury still to be determined.
• Jamie Hannah likely to return after the round 3 bye.

[george33]

Sounds like George Bell, gone for most likely whole season, and Finlay Brewis several weeks.

[Bovidae]

Moananu played well when he came on but the Crusaders will be very thin at hooker with McAlister and Mullan heading north. Eli Oudenryn as the backup until Taylor returns? Manumaua Letiu is a similar age. Maybe an SOS to Quentin MacDonald.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2025:

Moananu played well when he came on but the Crusaders will be very thin at hooker with McAlister and Mullan heading north. Eli Oudenryn as the backup until Taylor returns? Manumaua Letiu is a similar age. Maybe an SOS to Quentin MacDonald.

Eli Oudenryn and Manumaua Letiu are both in the WTG,and having be doing the preseason.
Taylor due back after the bye so should only miss the first 2 Rds.

[Bovidae]

@Chris Speaking of hookers, where's Hendrix Taylor now? I would have thought he'd be ahead of Letiu and Oudenryn in the development pathway.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris Speaking of hookers, where's Hendrix Taylor now? I would have thought he'd be ahead of Letiu and Oudenryn in the development pathway.

Has had a few injuries of late and seems to have dropped of the radar in 2025.

[SBW1]

If the Saders drop the first couple of games is that the end for Penney and is there a replacement? Is it possible to send an SOS to Mounga or is it not possible?

[gt12]

@SBW1

Jan 21

Blow for All Blacks as Mo’unga decides to stay in Japan

Exclusive: In-demand first-five Richie Mo'unga was in talks with NZ Rugby about an early return this year but they have fallen through, writes Patrick McKendry.

[SBW1]

I realise that, I just mean that other players have been brought in from Japan as injury cover.

[gt12]

Last game of the regular season here isn’t until mid May.

[SBW1]

Hypothetically is it still possible to bring him in for injury cover/

[Chris B.]

@george33 said in Crusaders 2025:

Sounds like George Bell, gone for most likely whole season, and Finlay Brewis several weeks.

Do you know what is wrong with Bell?

His injury looked very innocuous. He got up after scoring and walked back to halfway. Had a chat to a trainer and walked off with a slight limp.

[antipodean]

@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:

@george33 said in Crusaders 2025:

Sounds like George Bell, gone for most likely whole season, and Finlay Brewis several weeks.

Do you know what is wrong with Bell?

His injury looked very innocuous. He got up after scoring and walked back to halfway. Had a chat to a trainer and walked off with a slight limp.

I heard he doesn't want to jeopardise his All Black selection chances by playing.

[george33]

@Chris-B Rob Penny said in interview yesterday that , he's out for several weeks, maybe miss whole campaign, did say what injury was, but I can't remember.

[george33]

@Chris-B Newstalk ZB, with Jason Pine, went thru all super coaches , and Penney mentioned the injury list.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Audio interview with Penney -

ZB

Super Rugby 2025: Can the Crusaders turn their luck around?

There's still hope the Crusaders can turn their luck around for the next Super Rugby season.