The Scott Hansen era is underway at the Crusaders, and his arrival has coincided with a grand return of one of Super Rugby’s most influential talents and a generational change in the midfield.

Former Moana Pasifika prop Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou has been snapped up by the club after a promising start to his Super Rugby career in Albany. Top 14 and Champions Cup winner Clément Castets has joined the team as injury cover for Tamaiti Williams, who has been sidelined since March with a back injury and faces an uncertain return timeline.

There are no changes to the second row or hooker selections, but the loose forwards have been shaken up. Xavier Treacy, Oli Mathis and Johnny Lee have all been promoted from the wider training group to the top squad, while 19-year-old Finn McLeod has taken the direct route into the big leagues, with two years in the New Zealand U20 side already under his belt. McLeod is the grandson of iconic All Black Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie.

Mitchell Drummond has earned a spot back in the squad after spending the 2026 season in the wider training group, replacing new Edinburgh signing Louis Chapman. The big news is clearly at No. 10, where Richie Mo’unga returns after three seasons in Japan. The star playmaker left New Zealand with seven Super Rugby titles in his eight-year Crusaders career.

The most dramatic makeover in the team, though, is in the midfield, where a trio of All Blacks ended their Crusaders careers all at once. The club are in need of a new captain, with David Havili Japan-bound, while Dallas McLeod and Braydon Ennor are off to Europe. In their place come Northland’s Corey Evans and Otago’s  Jake Te Hiwi, while Cooper Roberts makes his way into the squad from the wider training group. Toby Bell will hope to add to his 12 minutes of game time for the Crusaders, while Leicester Fainga’anuku has, interestingly, also been named in the midfield group just one day after being selected as a loose forward for the All Blacks.

“We are all really excited about our squad and what we can all achieve together. There’s a lot of talent throughout the group, but just as importantly, there are good people who care deeply about this club and what it represents,” Hansen said.

“We’ve got a great mix of experience, guys who have been successful here before, and a blend of younger players who will be hungry for their opportunity. Our challenge now is to bring that together.

“There’s a lot to look forward to in 2027 and a lot of work to do; we want our people to feel part of what we’re building and proud to come on that journey with us.”

The 2027 Crusaders squad

Props
Tamaiti Williams
Finlay Brewis
George Bower
Fletcher Newell
Seb Calder
Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou*
Clément Castets**

Hookers
Codie Taylor
Manumaua Letiu
George Bell

Locks
Liam Jack
Tahlor Cahill
Jamie Hannah
Scott Barrett

Loose Forwards
Xavier Saifoloi
Ethan Blackadder
Dominic Gardiner
Xavier Treacy*
Christian Lio-Willie
Finn McLeod*
Oli Mathis*
Johnny Lee*

Halfbacks
Kyle Preston
Noah Hotham
Mitchell Drummond

First Fives
Rivez Reihana
James White
Richie Mo’unga

Midfield
Jake Te Hiwi*
Corey Evans*
Toby Bell
Cooper Roberts*
Leicester Fainga’anuku

Outside Backs
Johnny McNicholl
Kurtis MacDonald*
Macca Springer
Maloni Kunawave
Chay Fihaki
Will Jordan