Crusaders 2026

[Chris]

@Duluth said in Crusaders 2026:

It'll be interesting to see how he slots back in

RM used to share a lot of the game management with DH. He wouldn't be at first receiver that often and would sit out the back looking for a mismatch and then use his pace

There's a question over whether DH still starts regularly in 2 years time. In behind him, I see a lot of inside centres as opposed to to 2nd 5s

Then theres the question of RM acceleration. So much of his game was based around the initial speed. Is it still there at 32/33?

Yeah the pace thing makes me wonder as well.
I am not sure it actually does any favours for the Crusaders,another year under the belt of Reihana and Kemera and they will be entrenched as 1 & 2 if they keep developing through 2026.
And there is the question of who takes the 3rd First Five spot for 2026 they then could be on a hiding to nothing and have to make way for RM,Is RM only coming back for 1 year that would be disruptive imo.

[SBW1]

I am assuming there has already been an announcement. Is there still any likelihood he come back earlier and that this is a smokescreen? It is leaving it a bit late.

[Chris]

@SBW1 said in Crusaders 2026:

I am assuming there has already been an announcement. Is there still any likelihood he come back earlier and that this is a smokescreen? It is leaving it a bit late.

No back in July 2026

Play NPC for Canterbury 2026
All Black EOYT 2026
Crusaders 2027
then ABs to WC 2027
That would be the plan,I guess we see how that turns out.

[mariner4life]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

Play NPC for Canterbury 2026

if you believe this then i have a bridge to sell you.

The AB coaches didn't woo him back to play park rugby during the RC. He might play one game to keep the fish heads happy and then he'll be in the test 23

[Chris]

@mariner4life said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

Play NPC for Canterbury 2026

if you believe this then i have a bridge to sell you.

The AB coaches didn't woo him back to play park rugby during the RC. He might play one game to keep the fish heads happy and then he'll be in the test 23

We will see and how big is your bridge ? as I said that is the plan but we will see how it plays out.

[Duluth]

Kemara is signed until the end of 2028. He should ask for a SR transfer

[Grooter]

@Duluth age profile wise I would think it would be Reihana weighing up looking elsewhere for 2027

[Duluth]

@Grooter

True

I said Kemara because, on current rankings, he's the guy that won't make the 23

[SBW1]

If his form is really good next year, he might end up at another Kiwi franchise to get more game time.

[SBW1]

[jamsb]

Sad to see Tom Christie leaving

[Duluth]

@jamsb said in Crusaders 2026:

Sad to see Tom Christie leaving

He responded well to getting dropped this year. When he came back into the side he offered a lot more with ball in hand

[SBW1]

He had a pretty bad injury which sidelined him. Ran into a guy who knew him well and sounded like he had a frustrating injury. He will be happy to finish with a Premiership in his last year.

[zedsdeadbaby]

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

[Bones]

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

Replacing a small openside with a midget openside will make things interesting.

[Bovidae]

The Chiefs should sign Johnny Lee. He is more of a SR no.7 in size.

[Chris]

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

Replacing a small openside with a midget openside will make things interesting.

Roughly the same size Christie 185 cm 104kgs Mathis 186 cm 102 Kgs though at 19 years old will probably put another 4 or 5 kgs on over Pre season.
Mathis has speed on his side but maybe he ends up a winger.

[Bones]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

Replacing a small openside with a midget openside will make things interesting.

Roughly the same size Christie 185 cm 104kgs Mathis 186 cm 102 Kgs though at 19 years old will probably put another 4 or 5 kgs on over Pre season.
Mathis has speed on his side but maybe he ends up a winger.

Interesting, watching on telly Mathis looks like he'd be pushing 95 at best.

[Chris]

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

Replacing a small openside with a midget openside will make things interesting.

Roughly the same size Christie 185 cm 104kgs Mathis 186 cm 102 Kgs though at 19 years old will probably put another 4 or 5 kgs on over Pre season.
Mathis has speed on his side but maybe he ends up a winger.

Interesting, watching on telly Mathis looks like he'd be pushing 95 at best.

He put on weight when he was at the Crusaders as an injury replacement I hear he’s around 102kgs now.

[Bones]

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@zedsdeadbaby said in Crusaders 2026:

Clears the way for Oli Mathis

Replacing a small openside with a midget openside will make things interesting.

Roughly the same size Christie 185 cm 104kgs Mathis 186 cm 102 Kgs though at 19 years old will probably put another 4 or 5 kgs on over Pre season.
Mathis has speed on his side but maybe he ends up a winger.

Interesting, watching on telly Mathis looks like he'd be pushing 95 at best.

He put on weight when he was at the Crusaders as an injury replacement I hear he’s around 102kgs now.

I would assume that was before I watched him playing for Waikato