One of Us: Eli’s Crusaders Story
For Eli La Rose and his whānau, being part of the Crusaders family has always been about more than rugby – it’s about connection, community, and making memories in red and black.
After becoming full season members in 2025, they’ve quickly become some of our most familiar and passionate faces in the stands, the kind of members who live what “One of Us” truly means.
When 2026 memberships opened, they didn’t hesitate: they locked in an Alcohol-Free Take a Kid to Footy Membership, so their seats are secured for our Super Round opener at One New Zealand Stadium. With Alcohol-Free Memberships strictly limited, it felt like the right choice for a family that never wants to miss a moment.
Ask Eli who his favourite Crusaders are, and the answer comes straight away, and he doesn’t pause for a second.
Right now, he’s all about Tamaiti Williams – a player whose power, character, and energy match everything he loves about the team. From the past, it’s Sam Whitelock.
For Eli and his family, choosing an Alcohol‑Free Membership wasn’t just practical, it was about finding a space that feels like home on game day, where they can sit together, feel comfortable, and soak in the atmosphere around people who feel like extended whānau.
Eli’s already counting down to seeing his favourite players run out and catching up with the people who always make him feel welcome.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the players again, catching up with Webby and Foxy, and of course Kirsty Brown and her crew. They always make me feel welcome,” he says.
His family has also seen firsthand how the move to One New Zealand Stadium opens new opportunities for members with accessibility needs – with accessible seating available across every membership category, they can finally choose the membership that genuinely suits them.
On his 2026 calendar, two games are already locked in. The first is our Super Round match – a moment that will go down in Christchurch rugby history. The second is the final ever match at Apollo Projects Stadium against the Fijian Drua, a night filled with nostalgia as one chapter closes and another begins just down the road. For someone who breathes Crusaders rugby, there’s no way he’s missing either.
Game day doesn’t start at kick-off for Eli. As soon as the draw is out, he’s planning travel from his hometown of Wānaka. By the time match day rolls around, the excitement is well and truly building. Eli dresses head‑to‑toe in Crusaders gear and the family gets to the stadium early so he can settle into his seat before the crowds build. After full time, they always head onto the field to meet the players and soak up that special post‑match buzz before making the journey back to Wānaka.
Eli's family talks about how much he truly supports and follows the team, how the players, coaches, and staff recognise him and make him feel special. For them, their Membership is about belonging – creating memories with family and friends, sharing incredible experiences, and feeling part of a wider rugby whānau every time they walk through the gate.
Eli’s story is a reminder that Crusaders membership isn’t just a seat at the game, it’s a place to belong. If an alcohol‑free, family‑friendly environment sounds like the right fit for you, this is the time to secure your Alcohol‑Free Membership, especially while numbers are limited.
And if you can’t get to every match, our 4‑Game Pass gives you access to four massive home games, including our final ever match at Apollo Projects Stadium against the Fijian Drua, plus three huge derbies at One New Zealand Stadium – the Blues, Chiefs, and Hurricanes.
Rounds included:
Round 8: Fri 3 April, 7:05pm vs Fijian Drua @ Apollo Projects Stadium
Round 13: Fri 8 May, 7:05pm vs Blues @ One New Zealand Stadium
Round 15: Fri 22 May, 7:05pm vs Chiefs @ One New Zealand Stadium
Round 16: Fri 29 May, 7:05pm vs Hurricanes @ One New Zealand Stadium