About
Ethan Blackadder is on track to play his 50th game for the Crusaders in 2025, since his debut in 2018 when he was named Rookie of the Year.
Son of the former Crusaders player, captain and Head Coach Todd Blackadder, Ethan hails from North Canterbury originally but attended high school at Nelson College. He plays for the Tasman provincial team, where he assisted them to their first championship win in 2019. The flanker made his All Black debut in 2021, coming off the bench to play against Tonga and now have 14 caps to his name.
In 2022 he received more accolades, with the Crusaders as Player of the Year and Champion Crusader of the Year.
Named a Vice Captain for the 2025 season, Ethan says “it was a huge honour when David (Havili) asked me, and I didn’t hesitate in saying yes. I’m super excited and keen to help the team as much as I can”.
A true outdoorsman, Ethan loves a spot of jet boating and hunting in the off season.
