Our 13th Super Rugby title winning side of 2022 will go down in history along with our other Championship winning squads. This was the team that ventured to Auckland and put on a clinical Grand Final performance to walk out of Eden Park with the Super Rugby Pacific Title.
Who could forget Pablo Matera’s kick, Sevu’s chase and eventual try to put the result beyond doubt?
This team was more than the sum of its parts and every member of the squad played an important role throughout the season on the journey to winning our 6th consecutive Super Rugby title.
With every new season brings a few new faces and thus the opportunity to say goodbye to some of our Crusaders brothers.
George Bridge won a Super Rugby title every year he represented the Crusaders from 2017-2022, scoring 175 points in his 67 appearances.
Pablo Matera’s time here was brief but incredibly memorable, with the South American adjusting to life in Canterbury seamlessly and becoming a much loved member of the 2022 squad. Pablo’s son became part of Crusaders history when he was hoisted above the heads of the title winning side in the minutes after the final whistle (image below)
Bryn Hall clocked up 93 appearances for the Crusaders since joining in 2017 and scored 85 points as a dynamic and skilful halfback. Hall departs the Crusaders to take up a new opportunity to play rugby in Japan and we wish him all the best.
Simon Hickey joined the side as backup for Richie Mo’unga at the start of the 2022 season and took his opportunities when they were available, scoring 14 points over 5 appearances.
We’d like to say a further thank you to Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shilo Klein, Isaiah Punivai, and Kini Naholo, whose careers we look forward to see develop further.
