Crusaders 2025
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Audio interview with Penney -
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.
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Hopefully all teams will do this as per Jack Mesley's directive.
Crusaders Recovery Update: Round One
The latest update on the return to play status of our unavailable players from the medical desk at Crusaders HQ
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@gt12 said in Crusaders 2025:
That’s a pretty brutal injury list to start the season.
The ground must be like fucking concrete, I cant imagine the collisions and speed of the game for these guys at this time of year.
Seems like most teams have a pretty extensive injury list. Doesn't help fan engagement having all these players out in round 1.
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@Canes4life think they had alot out in the early rounds last year too.
Bu yep, not an ideal start for a team that need a good start, confidence will play a big part in things.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders 2025:
@Canes4life think they had alot out in the early rounds last year too.
Bu yep, not an ideal start for a team that need a good start, confidence will play a big part in things.
The Crusaders can probably count themselves lucky that the Canes have also been hit hard by injuries. Will be a bit of a cripple fight on Friday I feel.
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Im assuming Dallas Mcleod has failed his attempt to play today. Toby Bell has been pulled from the Crusaders Development side and might be a late addition to the bench for a debut
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:
A lot of Canterbury B and Crusader Academy players in there.
I recognise more names on the bench from age-group rugby than some of the starters.
BTW, do you know who the Crusaders NDC players are? I am assuming Sauira and Inch are two, with maybe Frost and Letiu/Oudenryn.
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2025:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:
A lot of Canterbury B and Crusader Academy players in there.
I recognise more names on the bench from age-group rugby than some of the starters.
BTW, do you know who the Crusaders NDC players are? I am assuming Sauira and Inch are two, with maybe Frost and Letiu/Oudenryn.
yes
M Letiu
E Oudenryn
S Mafi
G Brown
J Frost
H Inch
J Cameron
N Sauira
M Kunawaveyoung players in the WTG
L Jack
G Reeves
J Lee
T Bell
I Hutchinson -
George Bell gone for the season
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Crusaders lose George Bell for the season -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360582501/crusaders-lose-all-blacks-hooker-george-bell-season -
Crusaders rookie earns 'other than Dupont' praise from All Blacks star
It appears the Crusaders have unearthed yet another gem in rookie halfback Kyle Preston who has shone early in his debut season.
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While he has looked handy so far and not out of place at Super level, I have noticed a few things that Preston probably needs to improve before he makes the next step.
He can be weak on defence. He falls off too many tackles for my liking. This was more noticeable against the Reds.
He seems a bit sloppy when under pressure to clear from the base of the ruck or scrum.
He was also a bit slow getting to some rucks yesterday. There were a few times I found myself wondering where he was.
The above are all things that I think Hotham does well. It will be interesting to see how the Saders use them when both are available.
