OUR LEGACY
In the first year of Super Rugby, we won just two games in the season and finished bottom of the table.
We needed to find a way turn it around and set the Crusaders apart. But the answer wasn’t better, stronger, faster players — every team had that.
We looked deeper for what would make the difference.
Turning to the legendary Wayne Smith, we homed in what we now know is the most critical success factor for a team: culture.
More specifically, we dedicated ourselves to intentionally building a culture of belonging.
It paid off.
The following year, 1997, we underwent a remarkable turnaround and finished sixth in the Super Rugby table. In 1998, we reached our goal of winning the competition and we’ve never looked back.
Our commitment to building and reinforcing a culture of belonging has produced a track record we’re proud of, with 14 Super Rugby title wins, including seven in a row through 2023.
It’s created a foundation for our people to thrive, with more Crusaders becoming All Blacks coaches and captains than any other team — including Richie McCaw, Reuben Thorne, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Scott Robertson.