Crusaders 2026
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Mathis has not the required physique for a SR loose forward. He is not even big for a wing. Kellow and Johnny Lee should fill Christie's shoes for the openside.
@cgrant said in Crusaders 2026:
Mathis has not the required physique for a SR loose forward. He is not even big for a wing. Kellow and Johnny Lee should fill Christie's shoes for the openside.
I think Mathis will be fine. Most NZ players bulk up between the ages of 20 and 22, and I presume it’ll be no different with Mathis. Players like Papali’i and Jacobson were also twigs at 20 and they turned out fine.
The thing with Mathis that makes me relatively confident that he can hack it amongst the forwards at the next level is the fact that he seems to have a good rugby brain. His body control, anticipation and technical execution in contact are consistently excellent. Very rarely you see Mathis with his head or feet in the wrong position which, I think, is a good sign for further development. The physical stuff will come with age.
My guess is that Blackadder and Kellow (if contracted) will be the two first-choice flankers next season, with Mathis probably being looked at as an interesting bench option for some games. Lee is another good prospect at loose forward (very different to Mathis but a very typical Crusader flanker), who you'd think is likely to get a SR contract either the coming year or the one after.
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Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks
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Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks
@Fredsaua12 said in Crusaders 2026:
Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks
The new wasteland for former Crusaders players, Perth.
Poor bugger. He had a tough night when they got beaten by Moana and wasn't seen again?
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@Fredsaua12 said in Crusaders 2026:
Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks
The new wasteland for former Crusaders players, Perth.
Poor bugger. He had a tough night when they got beaten by Moana and wasn't seen again?
@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2026:
@Fredsaua12 said in Crusaders 2026:
Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks
The new wasteland for former Crusaders players, Perth.
Poor bugger. He had a tough night when they got beaten by Moana and wasn't seen again?
Makes way for Mathis as we may see another player signed to cover Scott Barretts sabtiical as I believe he is not going overseas but missing most of SR,back for the last 3 or 4 Rds.
Liam Jack has signed to replace Strange but they may carry 6 to cover Barrett.or sign a 6/lock option. -
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@cgrant said in Crusaders 2026:
A Lock/6 option could be Xavier Treacy, but it seems too early for him.
Yes he is a good option hard worker goes the whole 80.
Maybe too soon he is only 20 but A good choice I reckon.
he is a good size already 108 kgs 1.96m especially as a 6. -
Confirmation of Oli Mathis joining the Crusaders in a wider training group capacity for 2026 before a full-time contract for 27 and 28
https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/oli-mathis-signs-with-crusaders-for-2027-and-2028/ -
Confirmation of Oli Mathis joining the Crusaders in a wider training group capacity for 2026 before a full-time contract for 27 and 28
https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/oli-mathis-signs-with-crusaders-for-2027-and-2028/@Fredsaua12 Assuming he is signed as a loose forward? Believe they have to specify each player, as they can only move into the team based on injuries in their subsequent position
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@Fredsaua12 Assuming he is signed as a loose forward? Believe they have to specify each player, as they can only move into the team based on injuries in their subsequent position
@DurryMexted said in Crusaders 2026:
@Fredsaua12 Assuming he is signed as a loose forward? Believe they have to specify each player, as they can only move into the team based on injuries in their subsequent position
Yes he is the Crusaders will not have Grace back until March and Kellow may miss the first month as well.
Mathis may get game time. -
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A good selection of food outlets locked in for Chch's new One Stadium.
Retail Food Outlets at One New Zealand Stadium
Korea House Chicken 
Bacon Bros Burgers
Black Burger
Arbour Woodfired Pizza 
Little Fish Co. 
Fush 
🥧 Sheffield Pies 🥧
Smokey T’s Hot Dogs 
Smokey T’s BBQ
Papa’s Hot Dogs
🥩 Pedro’s Lamb
Co-Lab 
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Ice Cream 
Sushi 
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If James White is going to the Blues, I'll be interested to see who ends up the third choice Crusaders 10 after Reihand and Kemara.
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Saders squad for 2026:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQsozSskun-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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I've heard good things about Toby Bell the new midfielder but oddly he hasn't featured that much in npc
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I've heard good things about Toby Bell the new midfielder but oddly he hasn't featured that much in npc
@Grooter been in the Crusaders system for some time, I believe he and Lucas Casey would have played for Kerikeri at the same time.
