Fans get up close and personal with Crusaders heroes
A hero's welcome has greeted the triumphant Crusaders having restored their
Super Rugby supremacy
.
Hundreds of fans gathered in central Christchurch on Monday to revel in the side's celebrations, less than 48 hours after the side clinched the title for the 15th time.
The Crusaders were once again crowned Super Rugby champions, edging the Chiefs 16-12 in Saturday's grand final at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Chanting, red and black flags and the familiar ascent of "Conquest of Paradise" coloured the atmosphere as rabid fans got up close and personal with their heroes and the silverware.
Celebrations on Cashel Street were also fittingly in full sight of construction of the franchise's forthcoming new home One New Zealand Stadium, also known as Te Kaha.
The new multi-use arena is due to open in April.
Photo:
RNZ/Nathan McKinnon
High school teachers Milika Faitotonu and Poe Kairua, both family members of former Crusaders linchpin Richie Mo'unga, were one of the earliest patrons gathered on Cashel Street.
Faitotonu said the Crusaders' "spirit and culture" set them apart from other sporting teams.
"As [David Havili] said it's the families, the culture. We are a whānau and a family, and family is very important.
"It just took a year for Penney to establish that relationship with the boys."
The pair said they could not wait to attend games at the new stadium after enduring the wintry clime in Addington for many years.
"I think moving from Apollo over to One New Zealand... I think that was the best send-off we could've had, not just for the Crusader fans, but for the whole community," Kairua said.
"It takes Christchurch city to get behind the boys and make them a success."
Mayor Phil Mauger playfully paid tribute to the squad during formalities.
He said he was pleased with the team had won the final as he would have "had to put a hold on the stadium".
Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Noah Hotham told RNZ the turnout was "amazing".
"Any time we can connect with our fans, our home, it's an awesome time, very special.
"You see from last year how much scrutiny we went through, how people started talking about the downfall of the Crusaders. To see how we've come back from that and learned from our mistakes last year, it makes it so much more satisfying."
Photo:
RNZ/Nathan McKinnon
Midfielder Dallas McLeod admitted some of the squad were "slowly recovering" from big post-match celebrations.
"We've had a good couple of days with the boys celebrating it so it's been good."
The squad had goals at the beginning of the campaign, namely turning things around following last year's ninth-placed finish, McLeod said.
"Having Davey (David Havili) as the leader this year has been awesome, driving that alongside the rest of the leaders in the team. So having that goal at the start and working hard to get it done is very cool."
It was a double celebration for several Crusaders players, with seven of the squad
named in the All Blacks squad
earlier in the day for next month's test series against France.
Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie was also named in the squad as injury cover for loose forward Luke Jacobsen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fans get up close and personal with Crusaders heroes
A hero's welcome has greeted the triumphant Crusaders having restored their Super Rugby supremacy . Hundreds of fans gathered in central Christchurch on Monday to revel in the side's celebrations, less than 48 hours after the side clinched the title for the 15th time. The Crusaders were once again crowned Super Rugby champions, edging the Chiefs 16-12 in Saturday's grand final at Apollo Projects Stadium. Chanting, red and black flags and the familiar ascent of "Conquest of Paradise" coloured the atmosphere as rabid fans got up close and personal with their heroes and the silverware. Celebrations on Cashel Street were also fittingly in full sight of construction of the franchise's forthcoming new home One New Zealand Stadium, also known as Te Kaha. The new multi-use arena is due to open in April. Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon High school teachers Milika Faitotonu and Poe Kairua, both family members of former Crusaders linchpin Richie Mo'unga, were one of the earliest patrons gathered on Cashel Street. Faitotonu said the Crusaders' "spirit and culture" set them apart from other sporting teams. "As [David Havili] said it's the families, the culture. We are a whānau and a family, and family is very important. "It just took a year for Penney to establish that relationship with the boys." The pair said they could not wait to attend games at the new stadium after enduring the wintry clime in Addington for many years. "I think moving from Apollo over to One New Zealand... I think that was the best send-off we could've had, not just for the Crusader fans, but for the whole community," Kairua said. "It takes Christchurch city to get behind the boys and make them a success." Mayor Phil Mauger playfully paid tribute to the squad during formalities. He said he was pleased with the team had won the final as he would have "had to put a hold on the stadium". Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Noah Hotham told RNZ the turnout was "amazing". "Any time we can connect with our fans, our home, it's an awesome time, very special. "You see from last year how much scrutiny we went through, how people started talking about the downfall of the Crusaders. To see how we've come back from that and learned from our mistakes last year, it makes it so much more satisfying." Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon Midfielder Dallas McLeod admitted some of the squad were "slowly recovering" from big post-match celebrations. "We've had a good couple of days with the boys celebrating it so it's been good." The squad had goals at the beginning of the campaign, namely turning things around following last year's ninth-placed finish, McLeod said. "Having Davey (David Havili) as the leader this year has been awesome, driving that alongside the rest of the leaders in the team. So having that goal at the start and working hard to get it done is very cool." It was a double celebration for several Crusaders players, with seven of the squad named in the All Blacks squad earlier in the day for next month's test series against France. Crusaders number eight Christian Lio-Willie was also named in the squad as injury cover for loose forward Luke Jacobsen.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Two newbies named in Tall Ferns FIBA Asia Cup squad
Tayla Dalton (right) defends against You Tang of China. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Two potential debutants have been named in the Tall Ferns squad for the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China. Head coach Natalie Hurst has named a squad of 12 plus two reserves with Rebecca Pizzey and Olivia Williams in the New Zealand women's basketball team for the first time. "Olivia brings more length on the wing. She's a defensive minded player who shows great instincts at that end, and isn't afraid to make a big play at the offensive end as well. Rebecca is a high IQ player. She also has great length at the defensive end and can stretch the floor at the offensive end. Another mobile big who can handle the ball for us, which is incredibly valuable with Sharne Robati not being available," Hurst said. The squad maintains a solid-core group of players from May's Trans-Tasman Throwdown, with guard Tayla Dalton returning, University of Hawai'i standout Ritorya Tamilo, and forward Charlotte Whittaker who has recently finished her French season with Toulouse. "I'm excited about a few things with this group, including the mix of youth and experience we have. Especially getting access to some of the ladies either finishing college or on their breaks, so we're stoked to welcome them into the group. Obviously with the Trans-Tasman Throwdown we blooded a lot of new squad members, who we now see heading to their first Asia Cup." The team is in a tough group alongside China, Indonesia and Korea. "We target the first two games and then see what happens from there," Hurst said. The Tall Ferns will get their FIBA Asia Cup campaign started against Korea on July 14th, before backing up against Indonesia the following day. The Tall Ferns final pool play match is against China on 16th July. Hurst said success would be getting through to the next round. McKenna Dale, guard/forward, Tauranga Whai & Mandurah Magic Tayla Dalton, guard, Townsville Flames Bailey Flavell, guard, Northern Kāhu & Launceston Tornadoes Pahlyss Hokianga, guard, Tauranga Whai Esra McGoldrick, guard/forward, Mainland Pouākai & Casey Cavaliers Rebecca Pizzey, forward, Eltham Wildcats* Emme Shearer, guard, Mackay Meteorettes Ashlee Strawbridge, forward, Mainland Pouākai & West Adelaide Bearcats Ritorya Tamilo, centre, University of Hawai'i Ella Tofaeono, forward/centre, Melbourne Tigers Charlotte Whittaker, forward, Toulouse Metropole Basket Olivia Williams, guard, University of California - Irvine* *denotes debutant Reserves: Ella Brow, guard, Baylor University Maia Jones, guard, Santa Clara University
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
ANZ Premiership live updates: Pulse v Steel
Pulse's Parris Mason (L) with Steel's Georgia Heffernan Photo: PHOTOSPORT While the Tactix and Mystics have cleared out at the top of the ANZ Premiership ladder, there is a real fight for the remaining playoff spots. The Pulse and Steel come in off contrasting results last weekend, with only three rounds to go this will be a crucial match. Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
