Crusaders 2025
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Bad news.
Crusaders first five-eighth Taha Kemara has been ruled out of the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season because of a serious knee injury. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against the Highlanders in Dunedin last weekend and will undergo surgery. "We are obviously hurting for Taha and his family, but he is a young man with an incredible drive and work ethic,’’ Crusaders coach Rob Penney said. It is anticipated Kemara will return to play near the beginning of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
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Kemara ruled out for the season.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:
@Chris I think Strange and Drummie can and will move on, probably Levi Aumua as well - might depend on Ennor (we looked the best we have all season when he played centre).
I really hope we can re-sign all of Havili, Blackadder and Ennor. I also think they'll sign Kemara, Kellow, Grace, Springer and Bell. I don't think we'll pick up anyone better than these guys.
Kemera just signed until 2028,it was mentioned in the stuff article about his injury.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:
George BellOne to watch here, an important decision for Bell if he wants to continue to be in the running for AB honours… Moananu isn’t going anywhere by the looks of things and Letiu and Oudenryn are about to be hot on his tail… not sure if continuing to sit behind Taylor is the right call at this stage, he should be looking to start if he wants to try and get ahead of Aumua and Taukei'aho in the pecking order.
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@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:
@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2025:
George BellOne to watch here, an important decision for Bell if he wants to continue to be in the running for AB honours… Moananu isn’t going anywhere by the looks of things and Letiu and Oudenryn are about to be hot on his tail… not sure if continuing to sit behind Taylor is the right call at this stage, he should be looking to start if he wants to try and get ahead of Aumua and Taukei'aho in the pecking order.
It would not surprise me if he moves,I know the Crusaders are keen on the 2 u/20 hookers but something has to give 5 hookers doesn't fit.
Moananu locked in for 2026 and Taylor until 2027. -
Who would be the 15 hookers that need to be part of Super set ups next year?
Blues and Landers a bit short in terms of the top guys. The three new lads have plenty of promise. Will one of the young U20s Crusaders lads need to go to the Blues?
The top bunch are:
- Taylor
- Aumua
- Taukei'aho
- Bell
- McAlister
- Moananu
Older guys capable
- Eklund?
- Henry Bell (will only be 26 next year though)
- Devery
- Bradley Slater
The younger guys with experience
- Mullan
- Vikena
- Taylor
- Tuputupu
Players due Super spots
- Bason
- Letu
- Oudenryn
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Its ridiculous how stacked the Crusaders are at hooker haha.
As you guys have said, there will be no choice but for some guys to move around.
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@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:
Its ridiculous how stacked the Crusaders are at hooker haha.
As you guys have said, there will be no choice but for some guys to move around.
And they already had two others in Mullan and McAlister move on this year. Could have seven out of our 15 hookers next year having come through the Crusaders system.
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@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:
Its ridiculous how stacked the Crusaders are at hooker haha.
As you guys have said, there will be no choice but for some guys to move around.
Eventually, someone will have to go - because out of Bell, Moananu, Oudenryn and Letui - four into three won't go.
But, if I were the player agent for any of them, I'm not sure I'd be thinking there's any great need to make that decision right now.
Codie Taylor will definitely be moving on after 2027 and in the meantime he'll likely be being nursed through a bit - so Bell and Moananu can expect plenty of game time and a chance to establish themselves as the top-dog-in-waiting.
The two young guys are both just 19 years old, so much water to go under the bridge before they're in the mix for national honours - and it's rarely been a bad thing to be with the Crusaders. But, if they're impatient then there could be jumps to the Blues or Highlanders.
Agree it's worth watching.
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I assume they're going to start Reihana at 10 and JOC to continue the bench role he's been playing. Hopefully they give James White some gametime.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2025:
@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:
Its ridiculous how stacked the Crusaders are at hooker haha.
As you guys have said, there will be no choice but for some guys to move around.
Eventually, someone will have to go - because out of Bell, Moananu, Oudenryn and Letui - four into three won't go.
But, if I were the player agent for any of them, I'm not sure I'd be thinking there's any great need to make that decision right now.
Codie Taylor will definitely be moving on after 2027 and in the meantime he'll likely be being nursed through a bit - so Bell and Moananu can expect plenty of game time and a chance to establish themselves as the top-dog-in-waiting.
The two young guys are both just 19 years old, so much water to go under the bridge before they're in the mix for national honours - and it's rarely been a bad thing to be with the Crusaders. But, if they're impatient then there could be jumps to the Blues or Highlanders.
Agree it's worth watching.
Yeah usually I can understand when players stay at stronger sides and wait for their opportunities, but man, that is some pecking order.
As @SouthernMann said, maybe Oudenryn becomes a target for Aussie rugby?
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@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:
As @SouthernMann said, maybe Oudenryn becomes a target for Aussie rugby?
When he's got the opportunity to be the Mako's best ever hooker?
Surely not!!!
