Canterbury Crusaders
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CanterburyCrusadersLogo.jpg
The Crusaders (originally known as the Canterbury Crusaders) are a New Zealand Rugby Union team based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Jade Stadium, and representing the Nelson Bays, Marlborough, Buller, West Coast, Canterbury, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury unions. They compete in the Super 12 competition, which won five of the ten times it was played (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005). From 2006 the competition will be expanded to the Super 14.
In 2002, the Crusaders had a perfect season, winning all 11 games in the main body of the tournament, and then their semi-final and the final. This was their first season under the leadership of Reuben Thorne, who also captained the All Blacks throughout 2002 and 2003. Richie McCaw then assumed the position and captained the team to its fifth Super 12 championship in 2005.
Super 12 positions
| 1996 .. | 12th | |
| 1997 .. | 6th | |
| 1998 .. | 1st | .. (defeated Auckland Blues in final) |
| 1999 .. | 1st | .. (defeated Otago Highlanders in final) |
| 2000 .. | 1st | .. (defeated ACT Brumbies in final) |
| 2001 .. | 10th | |
| 2002 .. | 1st | .. (defeated ACT Brumbies in final) |
| 2003 .. | 2nd | .. (lost final to Auckland Blues) |
| 2004 .. | 2nd | .. (lost final to ACT Brumbies) |
| 2005 .. | 1st | .. (defeated Waratahs in final) |
External link
- Official site (http://www.crfu.co.nz/crusaders/index.cfm)