Scott Hansen Selects 38 Players for 2027 Crusaders Campaign

The Crusaders have begun shaping their roster for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season. On Tuesday, head coach Scott Hansen named a 38-man squad that marks his return to the top job after three years as an assistant.

Hansen, who played 25 games for the club, emphasized the balance of the forward pack. He noted that the group combines established experience with promising young talent. The prop line includes Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Finlay Brewis, and Seb Calder. New signing Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou joins them, while French prop Clément Castets serves as a replacement for Williams until the latter becomes selectable.

At hooker, Codie Taylor is joined by George Bell and Manumaua Letiu. The locking group features Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Tahlor Cahill, and Liam Jack. Hansen highlighted the depth in the loose forward positions, listing Ethan Blackadder, Dominic Gardiner, Christian Lio-Willie, and Xavier Saifoloi. New signing Finn McLeod rounds out that unit, joining Xavier Treacy, Oli Mathis, and Johnny Lee, all of whom are earning their full contracts in 2027.

The backline offers significant options at halfback with Noah Hotham and Kyle Preston. Mitchell Drummond has been called back into the main squad after spending the 2026 season in the Wider Training Group. At first-five, Richie Mo’unga returns to the group. He will share the role with Rivez Reihana and James White.

New signings Jake Te Hiwi and Corey Evans will join Leicester Fainga’anuku and Toby Bell in the midfield. Cooper Roberts has also earned a call-up from the training group. The outside backline features All Blacks Will Jordan and Chay Fihaki. They are joined by Johnny McNicholl, Macca Springer, Maloni Kunawave, and Kurtis MacDonald.

Hansen described the squad as a group of good people who care deeply about the club. He said the team has a great mix of successful veterans and younger players who are hungry for opportunity. His goal is to bring that blend together for the 2027 campaign.

The coach stated that the club wants its people to feel part of what they are building. He noted there is a lot of work to be done but much to look forward to. The identity of the new team captain has not yet been announced.