The next generation adding to the Crusaders legacy, and the ones who got them there

The current Crusaders squad is full of experience, but there are four players in the group who know that more than anyone.  

Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Liam Jack, and Wider Training Group member Jack Sexton are all second-generation Crusaders.  

Their dads – Todd Blackadder, Angus Gardiner, Graham Jack and Matt Sexton – Crusader #8, #7, #50 and #2, respectively – were all in the championship winning 1998 team together – the team that stopped a threepeat by the Blues and began to write the Crusaders story. 

Three of them were in the inaugural Crusaders team in 1996 (Blackadder, Gardiner and Sexton). 

Graham Jack, Angus Gardiner and Matt Sexton reunited today at Rugby Park, alongside their sons Liam, Dom and Jack, to view the 2026 Crusaders jerseys that were released today.  

The jerseys include our home and away strip, as well as our heritage jersey – a reimagined 1996 Crusaders playing jersey – as a nod to the past and in recognition of 30 Years of Super Rugby. 

"The heritage jersey is awesome. It has a view of the future with the new stadium – an incredibly important part of our legacy is to look forward – but you've got to know where you've come from and to be able to acknowledge the past with the jersey is super impressive and really exciting, says Angus Gardiner, who now has a different role with the team as General Manager of Rugby.  

"Any jersey that the Crusaders have worn over time have memories associated with them, especially for us way back then, we had great fun playing as a team together and those are the things you remember as the years go by." 

Graham Jack was also left reflecting on his playing days. 

"It was a highlight of my life to be involved with this franchise and to have the opportunity to play for the Crusaders, so today is bringing back nice memories," he says.  

Meanwhile, Matt Sexton says the 2026 heritage jersey is a "new and improved version" of his 1996 playing strip. 

"The old school ones were great but not for performance! This one is much better material. I was just reflecting with the other former Crusaders, talking about how hot it was to play in those, especially when we were in Australia and South Africa. They did hold their sweat!" 

Similarly, the players were reflecting on their own memories from their younger years. 

"Me and my brother used to go through the dress up box – Dad used to have all his old rugby jerseys in there, so we'd run around half naked with them on thinking we were dad," says Jack Sexton.  

As the next crop of the red and black emerges while Super Rugby enters its 30th year, the new players are relishing the opportunity to make their own mark on the club.  

"Every Crusader leaves their legacy in the jersey, so it's pretty awesome to get that chance," says Liam Jack.  

"It's pretty special. Dad is Crusader number two, and he's made his mark in the jersey," says Jack Sexton.  

"To get the opportunity to come back home and have a crack to hopefully do the same is pretty cool. Walking in they've got the honours board of all the players, and every time I walk through the door, I see number two, I want to be on there too," he says.  

While Ethan and Dom, who have 12 years of combined experience in the jersey, are honoured to be carrying on their family legacy.  

"The Crusaders always celebrate our legacy and what's gone before, so it definitely has that added special element to it with our family connection,” says Dom.  

"Growing up playing for Marist Albion, the same club as Dad coached and played at, I've always been reminded of some of the things dad was able to do on the rugby field, and it was always a compliment when I got told I emulated dad or played similar to him." 

Ethan says being one of four second-generation Crusaders who are all in the team environment at the same time is pretty rare. 

"We’ve all heard stories and heard the old “back in my day” yarns and tales from the old fellas and seen the odd photo of them in their glory days, and for us to be adding a chapter to the red and black story that they were part of 30 years ago is pretty cool.” 

The original Crusaders are now enjoying being on the other side of the white line, watching their family name continue to feature in the red and black.  

"Any parent is super proud of their kids when they achieve a goal or have an ambition that they want to try and realise," says Angus.  

"I'm hugely proud of Jack's achievement," says Matt.  

"But I'm prouder of seeing how hard he's worked to get here, that's the really cool thing to see. He's worked really hard over the last few years to get this opportunity." 

Family ties aside, Matt perfectly summed up the day with what it means to be a Crusader.  

"The people are the thing you remember. The rugby comes and goes, but it's the people you have around you when you're on those tours and spending time with, so it's nice getting alongside them again."