Crusaders 2025

[SBW1]

Does anyone see any radical changes to our roster for 2025 or are we assuming we would have had a better 2024 season if we hadn't had so many injured cattle or players being wrapped in cotton wool, like some of our All Blacks?

[Chris]

[taniwharugby]

@Chris got plenty to learn, but has the skill set to be a very good starting Super rugby 10, think this year was the perfect storm at the 'saders for an indifferent season.

IMO a bit of a confidence issue and have hard he has come back to NPC lacking a bit there, but have seen some aspects of his game improved at NPC after his stint this year, so hopefully his super rugby will get better and consistent next year too.

[Chris]

@taniwharugby

Depending on who the 3rd signed First Five will be Rivez looks the best starting option for 2025.

[sparky]

Leicester F is returning to the Crusaders in 2026.

[SBW1]

Is there anyway we could get him back sooner?

[Daffy Jaffy]

Super Rugby, Rugby, Sport

Former Wallabies playmaker in talks with Crusaders

The Crusaders look to have found a short-term solution to their issues at first five.

[Machpants]

More aging stars for the saders, great stuff 🙄

[Wurzel]

Don’t mind it

[Chris]

Rob Penny strikes again he learnt nothing from last year.O'Connor has been mostly injured for the last 2 years.
Another 34 year old just what we don't need.

[Canes4life]

Lol I hope they do, James O'Connor is pretty average these days.

[KiwiMurph]

Kid (Crusaders Fans): I want Mo'unga

Mum (Crusaders): we have a Mo'unga at home.....

[Chris B.]

@Chris Somewhat surprisingly, we probably should have signed Willie Havili back when we signed Kemara.

He's turned into a very good player - as good as anyone else has in the NPC and better than our Crusaders options IMO.

Not a fan of O'Çonnor - but, I guess I'm not surprised. There's no very obvious options to bring in short term as a bridge back to Richie.

Nearly 20 years ago there was an Australian guy called Lee Grant posted here - he had the young JOC marked down as the next Mark Ella. He might have been except he did some dickhead things.

[Chris]

@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris Somewhat surprisingly, we probably should have signed Willie Havili back when we signed Kemara.

He's turned into a very good player - as good as anyone else has in the NPC and better than our Crusaders options IMO.

Not a fan of O'Çonnor - but, I guess I'm not surprised. There's no very obvious options to bring in short term as a bridge back to Richie.

Nearly 20 years ago there was an Australian guy called Lee Grant posted here - he had the young JOC marked down as the next Mark Ella. He might have been except he did some dickhead things.

Yeah William Havilli would have been useful with that left boot of his.
O'Connor signing to me could be a repeat of the bad signings from last season Halfpenny etc.

[Chris B.]

@Chris I guess they see him as a sort of Mike Delany/Tim Bateman signing.

A safe pair of hands if the young guys fold. But, yes - it's the same pattern as last year. I guess McNicoll worked. Most of the others didn't.

[Landers92]

JOC will be 35 mid way through next season… speaks volumes of the current 10 situation, not just in crusaders territory, but NZ as a whole. Bit of a panicky signing

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

JOC will be 35 mid way through next season… speaks volumes of the current 10 situation, not just in crusaders territory, but NZ as a whole. Bit of a panicky signing

Turns 35 in July after SR has finished.
But you are right it is were we seem to be as country as far as First five depth goes,when it has always been a strength.

[Landers92]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

JOC will be 35 mid way through next season… speaks volumes of the current 10 situation, not just in crusaders territory, but NZ as a whole. Bit of a panicky signing

Turns 35 in July after SR has finished.
But you are right it is were we seem to be as country as far as First five depth goes,when it has always been a strength.

Sorry that’s a habit. Should have said mid way through next year. Point stands though, F all difference between 34 and 35. Not a great look if he is signed in my opinion.

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

JOC will be 35 mid way through next season… speaks volumes of the current 10 situation, not just in crusaders territory, but NZ as a whole. Bit of a panicky signing

Turns 35 in July after SR has finished.
But you are right it is were we seem to be as country as far as First five depth goes,when it has always been a strength.

Sorry that’s a habit. Should have said mid way through next year. Point stands though, F all difference between 34 and 35. Not a great look if he is signed in my opinion.

I hear it’s a done deal , and for me a shit signing to say the least.
Thanks again Rob and Colin.

[frugby]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

JOC will be 35 mid way through next season… speaks volumes of the current 10 situation, not just in crusaders territory, but NZ as a whole. Bit of a panicky signing

I think this is a little bit of a misconception. From an ABs perspective, absolutely - from a SR perspective, it is the same as always. Look at 2015 for example:

Blues:
Bowden
Hickey
West

Chiefs:
Cruden
D McKenzie
M McKenzie

Hurricanes:
Barrett
Black
J Marshall

Crusaders:
Carter
Taylor
Slade

Highlanders:
Sopoaga
Banks
Parker

Depth is marginally better, because there is a few extra top guys, but the likes of Parker, J Marshall, M Mackenzie, Bowden etc. were incredibly ordinary.