Crusaders 2026
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‘A few tears’: Crusaders hooker on reasons behind move to Waratahs
Ioane Moananu is leaving the Crusaders for more playing time with the Waratahs.
Moananu was offered a new deal by the Crusaders.
“It wasn’t fully contracted where I could compete to play, but it was a contract where I had to wait for an injury,” Moananu explains to Newstalk ZB.
From there, Moananu looked at other options within New Zealand, but was met with a similar response.
“Without giving too much away, it was sort of a similar situation to Christchurch,” Moananu said.
Teams offered me that fourth [hooker] role as injury cover. Having had a little bit of a bigger role out there [at the Crusaders] this year and seeing how much growth I got, it just made me hungry to play more.”
“That’s probably the main reason I was like, I don’t really want to stay in New Zealand then if there’s no opportunity for me to compete to play.”
That’s where the Waratahs came to the party with a full-time contract.
Moananu has committed for 2026, with the option of staying in 2027.
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Surprised Moana didn't try and sign him long term.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Crusaders 2026:
‘A few tears’: Crusaders hooker on reasons behind move to Waratahs
Ioane Moananu is leaving the Crusaders for more playing time with the Waratahs.
Moananu was offered a new deal by the Crusaders.
“It wasn’t fully contracted where I could compete to play, but it was a contract where I had to wait for an injury,” Moananu explains to Newstalk ZB.
From there, Moananu looked at other options within New Zealand, but was met with a similar response.
“Without giving too much away, it was sort of a similar situation to Christchurch,” Moananu said.
Teams offered me that fourth [hooker] role as injury cover. Having had a little bit of a bigger role out there [at the Crusaders] this year and seeing how much growth I got, it just made me hungry to play more.”
“That’s probably the main reason I was like, I don’t really want to stay in New Zealand then if there’s no opportunity for me to compete to play.”
That’s where the Waratahs came to the party with a full-time contract.
Moananu has committed for 2026, with the option of staying in 2027.
So, am I reading this right? If you are on an injury cover contract, you have to make way for the injured guy when he returns, no matter how well you played? That might explain why Bell got picked ahead of him at the pointy end of the season.
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@Crazy-Horse Moananu was fully contracted this year, he's just saying he wasn't offered a full contract for next year.
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@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:
@Crazy-Horse Moananu was fully contracted this year, he's just saying he wasn't offered a full contract for next year.
Ok, but my question still stands.
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@Crazy-Horse At the point where Moananu gave way for Bell— both were on full contracts that ended this year. There was no contractual motivation to play one over the other. Bell is just greatly preferred as a player.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2026:
@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:
@Crazy-Horse Moananu was fully contracted this year, he's just saying he wasn't offered a full contract for next year.
Ok, but my question still stands.
Moananu didn’t have to give way as he was fully contracted ,Same as Bell, it was a selection decision to select Bell ahead of Maoanau not a directive due to his contract.
If he was on an injury cover contract then yes he would have to give way to Bell. -
@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2026:
@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:
@Crazy-Horse Moananu was fully contracted this year, he's just saying he wasn't offered a full contract for next year.
Ok, but my question still stands.
If he was on an injury cover contract then yes he would have to give way to Bell.
Cheers. That was the actual point of my post. I regret mentioning Bell now. I should've known better because I have been reading the Fern long enough.
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@Crazy-Horse Sorry, you were spot on with the first part of your question so I just assumed that you knew and forgot to say yes lol
You should never feel regret for bringing up our beautiful balding savior. In fact, we should all start bringing up Bell more often.
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:
I hear most of the squad is signed or has been re signed main areas are who the 3rd HB will be Drummond or Chapman maybe.
3rd First five James White or look for an experienced option.
Find a place for Oil Mathis maybe at Fletcher Andersons expense.
Maybe replace Strange if he goes overseas he has a contract in front of him.
Liam Jack probably will get that spot if Strange does move.
6th Prop stick with Finlay Brewis or look elsewhere.I'd be surprised if Drummond sticks around for Super next year as he is likely going to be the third or fourth ranked halfback behind Hotham, Preston & possibly Louis Chapman in the mix too.
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@1kiwi said in Crusaders 2026:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:
I hear most of the squad is signed or has been re signed main areas are who the 3rd HB will be Drummond or Chapman maybe.
3rd First five James White or look for an experienced option.
Find a place for Oil Mathis maybe at Fletcher Andersons expense.
Maybe replace Strange if he goes overseas he has a contract in front of him.
Liam Jack probably will get that spot if Strange does move.
6th Prop stick with Finlay Brewis or look elsewhere.I'd be surprised if Drummond sticks around for Super next year as he is likely going to be the third or fourth ranked halfback behind Hotham, Preston & possibly Louis Chapman in the mix too.
I agree I think Chapman maybe in the mix for the 3rd contract spot.
Especially if he has a strong NPC. -
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@Bones Rumour has it he's getting cleaned up for his Monkley Medal award ceremony in about 3 months.
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@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:
@Bones Rumour has it he's getting cleaned up for his Monkley Medal award ceremony in about 3 months.
You mean the Bell Medal?
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Scott Barrett might take a non playing sabbatical and miss Super Rugby next year
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A one year extension for Penney. Assistants remain the same
