Crusaders 2026

[youngwill89]

@BellsGeorg when will the Le Roux Malan signing be announced

[Chris]

Will Tucker also added to the squad to cover Scott Barrett's sabbatical
Tucker will join the squad in January after his Japanese part contract ends.

[jamsb]

I thought that Richie Mo’unga was signed with the Crusaders for 2026?

[jamsb]

@jamsb Ahhh nevermind I see it is from July 2026

[Duluth]

WTG

Jack Sexton – Prop
Gus Brown – Prop
Tomasi Maka – Hooker
Xavier Treacy – Lock
Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo – Loose Forward
Johnny Lee – Loose Forward
Oli Mathis – Loose Forward
Mitchell Drummond – Halfback
Cooper Grant – First Five
Cooper Roberts – Midfield
Jae Broomfield – Outside
Kurtis MacDonald – Outside

[Chris B.]

Leicester Faingaánuku in for Levi Aumua
Louie Chapman for Mitch Drummond
Liam Jack for Quinten Strange
Manumaua Letiu for Ioane Moananu
James White for James OÇonnor

Toby Bell for Fletcher Anderson
Maloni Kunawave for Tom Christie

Seems slightly odd signing two backs to replace two loose forwards. Kunawave strikes me as more WTG than full squad material, but maybe he'd have gone to Sevens without a full contract?

[Chris]

Stuart Yule recruited as new Crusaders physical conditioning and strength coach.

[ACT Crusader]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

Stuart Yule recruited as new Crusaders physical conditioning and strength coach.

Has he been doing anything in NZ or coming straight from Scotland?

[Chris]

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

Stuart Yule recruited as new Crusaders physical conditioning and strength coach.

Has he been doing anything in NZ or coming straight from Scotland?

Straight from Scotland just finished with them.

[UpTheHarbs]

https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/crusaders-unveil-2026-jersey-a-design-built-on-the-past-that-nods-to-the-future/

[Chris]

A couple of players on NDC contracts at the Crusaders

Lock Max Fale
Mason Verster former Tauranga Boys First Five.

[Chris]

3rd player on NDC contract.
Finn McLeod

[BellsGeorg]

@Chris he almost had to be the last name but thank god it's confirmed