SQUAD

Daniel Carter
Position:  First five  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.80m  Weight:  91kg  Birthdate:  05.03.82
Up there with the best in the world, and if he can stay fit for a few seasons, add a World Cup to his resume, and he will justifiably be able to be mentioned in the same breath as Grant Fox, Michael Lynagh and the like.  He has all the skills needed from a ten in the modern game, kicking from hand, at goal, strong running game, fearless with ball in hand and in the tackle.  Also recovers from injury pretty quick too, which is handy, and helpful with the amount of injuries modern day tens get these days now they are more physical. 

Craig Clarke
Position:  Lock  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  2.00m  Weight:  108kg  Birthdate:  01.08.83
He's really tall, not that old, and I have never heard of him before!  Played a bit of age grade rugby and the like for New Zealand, so obviously not a complete plonker!!

Wyatt Crockett
Position:  Prop  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.93m  Weight:  112kg  Birthdate:  24.01.83
One of the coolest names in New Zealand rugby today (along with from the past, Conan Barrell, and Western Samoan Census Johnson, and all props, but I majorly digress).  Big unit, but was handed his arse on a plate when butting heads with Carl Hayman in the NPC semi final, and struggled on a few other occasions in the NPC.  However, a very big man, and will only get better as time progresses. 

Andrew Ellis
Position:  Halfback  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.81m  Weight:  92kg  Birthdate:  21.02.84
Just when the Crusaders go and buy Senio to fill the void that Marshall left, a local product comes along and starts to come good.  Very strong NPC season for the Canterbury, he was being touted at one stage, by some high profile press hacks, to make the All Black end of season tour.  He didn't though, lots of inexperience showing through in games.  With plenty of game time this Super 14 season though, we'll see if he does have 'the right stuff'. 

Ross Filipo
Position:  Lock / Flanker  Province:  Wellington
Height:  1.98m  Weight:  115kg  Birthdate:  14.04.79
Cemented his spot in the starting side last season after Normy Maxwell broke down for the zillionth time, and proved himself to be a very capable lock at Super level.  Mobile and with the ability to play as a loose forward, he is a strong ball runner in close quarter action.  Tireless hard working tight forward.  Yet another player the Crusaders have seen potential in and  bought out the best of.

Corey Flynn
Position:  Hooker  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.84m  Weight:  106kg  Birthdate:  05.01.81
Not so much the forgotten man, but the man who has fallen from grace.  Has seen Andrew Hore and Derrin Whitcombe move past him in the hooking pecking order in the last year, and with the return of Tom Willis this season, likely sees himself rated 6th in New Zealand at the moment.  However, he is still a bloody good hooker, probably the best open field runner of the lot, but he lets himself down too often at lineout time.  I remember one NPC game last season (not the opponent though), where his throwing turned to complete pudding.  He would have had trouble hitting barn doors with bricks.  Other than that 'minor' problem with his hooking game, he is certainly All Black class.  If Oliver can repair his throwing, than Flynn can too.  Will need a big season to remain in the picture, or could see him heading north of to the land of the Yen in the not to distant future.

Ben Franks
Position:  Prop  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.83m  Weight:  112kg  Birthdate:  27.03.84
I am sure there was a bloke called Ben Franks on TV years ago when I was a wee nipper.  However, this won't be him.  I have even less an idea about this bloke than Clarke, but once again, if he is in the Canterbury system, he can't be that bad.  Especially when you think that Chris King is now a Highlander, and he is not the worst prop around by a long stick.

Rico Gear
Position:  Wing / Centre  Province:  Nelson Bays
Height:  1.79m  Weight:  92kg  Birthdate:  26.02.78
Made huge strides last season, forcing himself into the All Black side with a try filled season for the Crusaders.  His play improved dramatically all through the season too, the final product a well rounded player, both in attack and defence.  One of the best full speed steps you will see on the footy field - akin to Cullen when the Hurricanes flyer  was at his best.  Will need to carry on with the same sort of form in 06, with Sivivatu, Rokocoko and Howlett all pushing for the same starting shirts, four into two just does not go!

Scott Hamilton
Position:  Fullback / Wing  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.90m  Weight:  95kg  Birthdate:  04.03.80
Current junior All Black, Hamilton has got better and better as the seasons have passed.  It was the only way he could go though, as if you can remember his first seasons a few years back, he was pretty terrible!!  Now though, the big man is at home at Super level, and was rewarded for a strong 2005 season with selection in the Junior All Blacks.  Must have gone close to All Black selection at the end of the season.

Chris Jack
Position:  Lock  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  2.02m  Weight:  115kg  Birthdate:  05.09.78
Slipped from being New Zealand's number one lock to being subbed with plenty of time on the clock for young James Ryan in the vital Dunedin 3N test against the Boers.  With Williams now acknowledged as the number 1, the big Cantab will need to have a massive season at firstly Super level, and then for the All Blacks.  Still playing good football, just needs to add some consistency to his matches.  Vanishes from the radar at times in the big games.

Campbell Johnstone
Position:  Prop  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.84m  Weight:  114kg  Birthdate:  07.01.80
Needs to keep improving his running game of he wants to break back into the All Blacks.  A better scrummager than All Black end of season tourist John Afoa, but his all round game just lacking a little putting him behind the Blues prop.  Strong in the tight, good at scrum time, big man, has the world at his feet, just needs to get his paws on the ball more and make the hard yards close in.

Tony Koonwaiyou
Position:  Wing  Province:  Auckland
Height:  1.86m  Weight:  86kg  Birthdate:  10.06.83
Third season for the Crusaders, the Auckland flyer will be wanting to get some more starts this season, after just having bit parts over the last two.  Has tallied 7 matches from a possible 28 in this time.  Looks set to remain a fringe player though behind the plethora of All Black and Junior All Black talent in the Crusaders back line.  Would be better served at the Highlanders perhaps.  Genuine pace, and a good finisher, as we saw on the NPC as Auckland marched to the title.

Tone Kopelani
Position:  Hooker  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.80m  Weight:  106kg  Birthdate:  22.04.78
Big fast ball carrying front rower.  However, like Flynn, at times, his throwing turns to custard.  Mobile as is the wont with the modern day hooker, also large enough to be an effective offensive scrummager.

Tanerau Latimer
Position:  Flanker  Province:  Bay of Plenty
Height:  1.84m  Weight:  96kg  Birthdate:  16.05.86
Not yet 20, probably third in line to a starting jersey behind McCaw and Leo'o, this campaign is going to be all about learning for the young Bay player.  Already represented New Zealand at sevens, he was tagged by those in the know to be captaining the sevens side this year.  Fit as a buck rabbit, won't back down an inch if and when he gets some game time.

Casey Laulala
Position:  Centre  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.86m  Weight:  101kg  Birthdate:  03.05.82
Currently, a one hit wonder All Black.  Will need to prove himself again, and remain injury free, to have even the slightest chance of regaining an jersey coloured all black.  With the retirement from international rugby of Tana Umaga, the opportunity is there, but can he take it, and will he get the game time to do so??

Johnny Leo’o
Position:  Flanker  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.85m  Weight:  98kg  Birthdate:  03.10.78
Solid backup for McCaw on the openside of the flank.  Will have pressure on him this season from another New Zealand sevens rep, the young Latimer, or the number two number seven shirt.  Good player in his own right though, unlucky there are so many decent sevens in New Zealand rugby today.  Probably only the Blues a side where he could hope to get a regular start.

Leon MacDonald
Position:  Fullback  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.81m  Weight:  96kg  Birthdate:  21.12.77
Panadol strolled back into New Zealand rugby after resting his concussion prone noggin in Japan for a season, and hasn't missed a beat.  Still a class player in everything he does.  Will push Muliaina hard for the test jersey this season, and in fact might win it by default should Mils get played at centre by the Chiefs this season.

Aaron Mauger
Position:  Second Five  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.83m  Weight:  92kg  Birthdate:  29.01.80
With his bruising centre partner now retired, Mauger will need to be at the top of his game and make it impossible for the All Black selectors to drop him in favour of a more 'robust' second five.  However, with the two playmaker policy that the Cartel seem to be developing, he has a good chance of remaining at 12, so long as he stays fit.  A lot depends on the form of the centres in the Super 14, and where McAllister plays for the Blues, and if McAlister remains injury free! 

Richie McCaw
Position:  Flanker  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.88m  Weight:  105kg  Birthdate:  31.12.80
Goes from strength to strength as each season passes.  Just hope his melon holds out.  All Black captain in waiting.

Cameron McIntyre
Position:  First 5  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.81m  Weight:  91kg  Birthdate:  03.06.81
Back to the Crusaders after being moved south to the Clan last season.  A more than adequate back up for Carter, it would be good to see him get regular starts for a franchise.  His game has improved over the last 12 months, and with more game time, who knows, pushing for higher honours would not have been out of the question.  Now with the diet of cameo performances he will no doubt get coming on for Carter in the final few minutes of the games, he'll damn near regress as a player.  Competent goal kicker, with a strong all round game.

Bradley Mika
Position:  Lock  Province:  Auckland
Height:  1.94m  Weight:  120kg  Birthdate:  02.06.81
Back to a happy hunting ground for the massive man.  Has been getting a few games at lock with Auckland in the NPC, but a failed experiment in mine eyes - plods around like a lock with an 8 on his back, just not the explosiveness needed to be a quality loose forward.  That and not knowing instinctively when to be where, means the big man will be locking, where he should be, for the Crusaders, although there are 4 other locks in the side, so he may be tagged almost as a 'utility'.  Would be a last resort though!!

Kevin O’Neill
Position:  Lock  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  2.01m  Weight:  116kg  Birthdate:  24.12.82
Came on well with Canterbury during last seasons NPC, but still much to prove, ended up behind Filipo and obviously, the All Black Jack in last seasons championship run.  Will want to get a starting position, and prove that his Junior All Black call up last season was not just because he is really, really, really tall!!

Caleb Ralph
Position:  Wing/Centre  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.87m  Weight:  93kg  Birthdate:  10.09.77
The fabled carthorse seemed to find his mojo for Canterbury in last seasons NPC, at of all places, second five!  Probably more suited to centre, but he played bloody well there.  If he gets a chance in the 13 jersey this Super season, with the retirement of Umaga, he may just be a long shot for further rugby in a black jersey.  Twenty nine is by no means too old to be playing international rugby at centre.  Almost ideal in fact when you look back at some of our better centres over the years - Bunce and Stanley, and of course Umaga once he started in the midfield were all this age or older.  Currently sitting on 89 Super 12 games (this would include some for the Blues I assume, stat from the Crusaders website), he should top the ton this season for the five time champions.

Kevin Senio
Position:  Halfback  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.78m  Weight:  90kg  Birthdate:  06.07.78
The momentary All Black.  Had a hugely disjointed season last NPC with the Bay, spending more time on the bench for the All Blacks than playing for the Bay, and consequently, his form dropped away, and he missed the All Black Grand Slam tour.  Certainly has his chance to shine now, being bought directly to replace veteran Justin Marshall.  Won't have it all his own way though, as this young Ellis has been making great strides.  A crisp pass, strong defence, and a good sniping runner close to the rucks 'n' mauls.  A good season will see him back in contention, and who better to have a good season with, than the reigning, and five times champions, the Crusaders?

Greg Somerville
Position:  Prop  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.87m  Weight:  115kg  Birthdate:  28.11.77
Currently on 86 games for the Crusaders, he could manage to top the 100 if the champions make the finals again this year, depending on injuries and 'rests'.  Has been getting more and more game time at loosehead as he looks to remain in contention for an All Black test squad position.  With Hayman undisputedly the number one tighthead in New Zealand at the moment, a wise move.  How successful it is though, the jury is still out.  One game he'll look really good there, the next like a club player getting his beans.  At the moment would not want to see him starting a game at 1 for the All Blacks.  Will only get better the more he plays on the loosehead side, and with Johnson on the tight for the Crusaders, he should get a fair lick at it this season.

Reuben Thorne
Position:  Flanker  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.92m  Weight:  106kg  Birthdate:  02.01.75
The invisible man.  Joke out of the way.  The huge hearted Thorne has now racked up 98 games for the Crusaders in Super rugby, and will join Oliver and Umaga on the 100+ game landmark this season.  Still playing as well as he was when leading the men in black, and perhaps even better, now that the All Black captaincy is no longer bearing down on his broad shoulders.  One of the safest defending loose forwards in New Zealand, he just lacks that explosive ball carrying game that dominates the loose forward game in world rugby today.  Like Toddy Blackadder, a lock stuck in a loose forwards body - if you could add a couple of inches to his height, Thorne would probably have gone on to be an All Black great - as Blackadder would have been too I believe.

Mose Tuiali’i
Position:  Number 8  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.95m  Weight:  108kg  Birthdate:  25.03.81
AN injury free season would have been the first thing on Mose's Christmas present list for Santa last year.  Has not had a chance to stake a serious claim for the black jersey since first pulling it on a couple of seasons back.  Needs to string together a season's worth of class performances, show a bit of durability on the field, along with the undoubted skills he possess. 

Steven Yates
Position:  Centre / Wing  Province:  Canterbury
Height:  1.86m  Weight:  96kg  Birthdate:  26.97.83
The third of the players in the Crusaders side who is really a "who the hell is he" selection.  Not quite so unknown as Franks and Clarke, but still, outside of the province, many will scratching their heads and reaching for the programme profiles when they see him running onto the field!  Like Koonwaiyou will struggle for game time unless there is a flood of injuries to the Crusaders outside backs.

RESULTS

SCORING