Crusaders 2026

[Landers92]

Blackadder extends with NZ rugby and the Crusaders through 2026

[nostrildamus]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2025:

Blackadder extends with NZ rugby and the Crusaders through 2026

NZ free medical care compares well to overseas?!

[Canes4life]

The Crusaders haven’t yet made it formal, but it’s understood Rob Penney isn’t going anywhere and has already started preparing for the 2026 season.

[Chris]

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

[Chris]

Up dated list of signed player for 2026

Hookers
C Taylor,G Bell,M Letiu

Props
G Bower,K Sykes-Martin
F Newell,T Williams, S Calder

Locks

S Barrett,T Cahill,J Hannah
A Shalfoon

Loose Forwards
E Blackadder
D Gardiner,Savier Saifoloi
C Lilo-Willie

HBs

N Hotham,K Preston

First Fives

T kemera,R Reihana,

Centres

D Havilli,D McLeod
L Fainga’anuku,B Ennor

Wings

S Reece,M Springer,
C Fihaki, Aki Tuivailala

FBs
W Jordan,J McNicoll.

[Bovidae]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.

It says in a Stuff article today that Moananu is leaving. MP would be a better option so he starts every week.

[Chris]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.

It says in a Stuff article today that Moananu is leaving. MP would be a better option so he starts every week.

I think it maybe the Blues but MP could be an option.

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.

It says in a Stuff article today that Moananu is leaving. MP would be a better option so he starts every week.

He'd start every week at the Blues too?

[Bovidae]

Maybe, but Cotter might favour the experience of Eklund.

[Landers92]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

I posted a month or so ago in another thread(maybe the 2025 blues or crusaders one?) about being told Moananu was heading to Auckland. It sounded likely it was the blues but couldn’t get a definitive answer then. Just asked again and it sounds likely that it is the Blues. Bradley Slater situation has thrown a spanner with the decision supposedly

[Landers92]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

I posted a month or so ago in another thread(maybe the 2025 blues or crusaders one?) about being told Moananu was heading to Auckland. It sounded likely it was the blues but couldn’t get a definitive answer then. Just asked again and it sounds likely that it is the Blues. Bradley Slater situation has thrown a spanner with the decision supposedly

Edit: was the blues 2025 thread a few weeks back.

[Chris]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

I posted a month or so ago in another thread(maybe the 2025 blues or crusaders one?) about being told Moananu was heading to Auckland. It sounded likely it was the blues but couldn’t get a definitive answer then. Just asked again and it sounds likely that it is the Blues. Bradley Slater situation has thrown a spanner with the decision supposedly

Yeah I saw that you posted that I know Moananu signed a 2 year deal for the Crusaders for this year and 2026.
I have been hold they have now granted him a release from the 2nd year and have signed Letui .

[zedsdeadbaby]

I wonder if Letiu had already been signed to the main squad for 2026 before Moananu had his great season.

[Chris]

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

I wonder if Letiu had already been signed to the main squad for 2026 before Moananu had his great season.

No Moananu was signed for 2 years through to 2026,but was released by the Crusaders at his own request to be near his family.

[Bones]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

released by the Crusaders at his own request to be near his family

Hopefully home cooked food will get him to eat more.

[SBW1]

Was that 151 Kg?

[MN5]

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

released by the Crusaders at his own request to be near his family

Hopefully home cooked food will get him to eat more.

His mobility will be off the charts at that weight

[Trig]

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

I posted a month or so ago in another thread(maybe the 2025 blues or crusaders one?) about being told Moananu was heading to Auckland. It sounded likely it was the blues but couldn’t get a definitive answer then. Just asked again and it sounds likely that it is the Blues. Bradley Slater situation has thrown a spanner with the decision supposedly

I've seen confirmed rumours for four 2026 Blues hookers now. Eklund and Mullan staying on and now with Slater and Moananu getting signed. Has the slater signing fallen through or is one of Eklund or Mullan not returning?

[nostrildamus]

@MN5 said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

released by the Crusaders at his own request to be near his family

Hopefully home cooked food will get him to eat more.

His mobility will be off the charts at that weight

https://crusaders.co.nz/ioane-moananu/

113 kg, at 1.73 metres, isn't exactly svelte.

[Landers92]

George Bell signing with the Crusaders through 2028 confirmed.