Crusaders 2025

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Christian Lio-Willie has extended with Crusaders through to 2027.

Yep saw that on instagram yesterday

[Chris]

More on re signings Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams also extended through 2027.

[Landers92]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Christian Lio-Willie has extended with Crusaders through to 2027.

Yep saw that on instagram yesterday

Yeah saw it wasn’t posted in here so threw it in for those that don’t use instagram and the likes…

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Christian Lio-Willie has extended with Crusaders through to 2027.

Yep saw that on instagram yesterday

Yeah saw it wasn’t posted in here so threw it in for those that don’t use instagram and the likes…

Always good to post mate someone might have missed it.

[SBW1]

Hopefully Nick Evans is on the coaching staff, next year hopefully a whole lot better than this year.

[SBW1]

Alex Nankivell - Wikipedia

Just putting it out there. Contracted at Munster until the end of 2024.

[Bovidae]

One advantage of the staggered squad announcements is that we find out shortly if the "McAlister to the Chiefs" rumour is true.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Crusaders squad for 2025

Props: Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder
Hookers: Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ioane Moananu
Locks: Scott Barrett, Quinten Strange, Tahlor Cahill, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon
Loose forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Corey Kellow, Dominic Gardiner, Fletcher Anderson, Savier Saifoloi
Halfbacks: Noah Hotham, Mitchell Drummond, Kyle Preston
First five-eighths: James O'Connor, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara
Midfielders: David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Macca Springer, Johnny McNicholl, Aki Tuivailala

Ins: Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Seb Calder, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Anderson, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Aki Tuivailala
Outs: Brodie McAlister, Joe Moody, Ryan Crotty, Owen Franks, Leigh Halfpenny, Willi Heinz, Manasa Mataele, Heremaia Murray, Jone Rova, Fergus Burke, Zach Gallagher

[Landers92]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2025:

One advantage of the staggered squad announcements is that we find out shortly if the "McAlister to the Chiefs" rumour is true.

Well he’s not named above so that could be your answer…

[Bovidae]

@Landers92 Yep.

Picking up some Waikato players. I expected both to be in the Chiefs WTG.

[Landers92]

@Bovidae yeah I noticed a couple of the young Waikato boys there. Offered a full contract over widers perhaps?

[Bovidae]

There wouldn't be room for either in the Chiefs main squad. Aki is a centre playing on the wing. You're never going to turn down a full contract.

The Crusaders now have the Hamilton BHS 9, 10 and 13. The 12 from that team is at the Brumbies.

[Landers92]

Jone Rova as an out is an interesting one. He has came through the academy system, Canterbury NPC, Crusaders and NZ20’s. Hasn’t quite clicked at super level yet but still only 22. Could be a nice little steal for another squad

[Chris]

Pleased with the Savier Saifoloi signing,he adds some more size and ball carry abilty to the LFs.
Aki Tuivailala. pleased with that signing as well he looks very promising.
Kyle Preston another great signing.
Disappointing to lose Brodie McAlister but good luck I see why he has moved.
Jone Rove unlucky he had a pretty good NPC.

Over all a stronger squad than last season pleased with the squad.

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Jone Rova as an out is an interesting one. He has came through the academy system, Canterbury NPC, Crusaders and NZ20’s. Hasn’t quite clicked at super level yet but still only 22. Could be a nice little steal for another squad

Yeah he is unlucky Jone had a good NPC looked like he was coming on as a player.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Having gone with 8 Loose Forwards in a 22 forward 16 back split there will be some useful Loosies sitting out the match day squad each week.

[Chris]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Crusaders 2025:

Having gone with 8 Loose Forwards in a 22 forward 16 back split there will be some useful Loosies sitting out the match day squad each week.

Maybe a 6-2 split a lot of versatility in the backs.

[Wurzel]

No dramas with the top 23 Rob can put out but nothing in the broader squad to get fizzed over.

[upthelanders]

No Isaac Hutchison??

[gt12]

If they get good direction from 10, incredibly strong squad.