Crusaders 2026

cgrant

Despite the stripes of the Waikato jersey, he does look very slim. I can't see him playing among the forwards in the SR.

Chris

Up date in the 2026 squad

Hookers
C Taylor, G Bell, M Letui

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

Locks

S Barrett,T Cahill,J Hannah
A Shalfoon,L Jack

Loose Forwards
C Kellow,O Mathis, 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.

Chris B.

@Chris So five more required?

A prop, a halfback, a first five, another loosie and probably another midfield back.

Maybe they go back to Brewis again.

I expect Louie Chapman (Drummond again a possibility, but I doubt it).

James White I'd imagine. Reihana and Kemara have enough experience now that we hopefully don't need an old shepherd like O'Çonnor.

Cullen Grace just not signed yet or more to the story that I've missed. Fletcher Anderson and Johnny Lee decent alternatives.

Can't think of a midfield option offhand?

Chris

@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris So five more required?

A prop, a halfback, a first five, another loosie and probably another midfield back.

Maybe they go back to Brewis again.

I expect Louie Chapman (Drummond again a possibility, but I doubt it).

James White I'd imagine. Reihana and Kemara have enough experience now that we hopefully don't need an old shepherd like O'Çonnor.

Cullen Grace just not signed yet or more to the story that I've missed. Fletcher Anderson and Johnny Lee decent alternatives.

Can't think of a midfield option offhand?

I think Brewis and Grace will be signed and Aki Tuivailala may still get signed.

Leaves a HB ,First Five and another, Fletcher Anderson I am unsure of as last year they had 8 Loose Forewards.

Chris B.

@Chris Good props are hard to find.

Brewis just needs to stay fit!

You've listed Tuivailala in the squad above?

Grooter

@Chris-B Nic Shearer has to be in consideration Chris, clever 9 good on both sides of the ball, has a running game, very good pass and has helped the 18 yr old outside him at the Stags feel right at home.

BellsGeorg

@Grooter the reshuffle in the 9s for Canterbury this season looks to be a sign that they'd prefer Chapman to take that third spot at the Crusaders over Shearer. Shearer is a live wire, and has had a good start to the season, but Chapman is probably a better fit for the 3rd halfback spot.

Shearer is definitely going to latch on to a Wider Training Group somewhere, though.

Chris

@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris Good props are hard to find.

Brewis just needs to stay fit!

You've listed Tuivailala in the squad above?

oops I think he is there but not 100% I should have put a ?
Not convinced on James White.

Chris

@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:

@Grooter the reshuffle in the 9s for Canterbury this season looks to be a sign that they'd prefer Chapman to take that third spot at the Crusaders over Shearer. Shearer is a live wire, and has had a good start to the season, but Chapman is probably a better fit for the 3rd halfback spot.

Shearer is definitely going to latch on to a Wider Training Group somewhere, though.

Chapman is the Fav for that position.

zedsdeadbaby

I’ve heard similar - Drummond unlikely to be back, unless there’s an injury crisis. Finished with 150 appearances and has business interests. Nothing left to prove.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders 2026