Crusaders 2026

[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

[Chris]

@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:

@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

Yes of course but eyes are deceiving aye.

[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.