Crusaders (rugby union)
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| Union | New Zealand Rugby Union |
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| Nickname(s) | The Crusaders |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Location | Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Region |
Buller Canterbury Mid-Canterbury South Canterbury Tasman West Coast |
| Ground(s) | AMI Stadium (Capacity: 18,600) |
| Coach(es) | Scott Robertson |
| Captain(s) | Sam Whitelock |
| Most caps | Wyatt Crockett (154) |
| Top scorer | Dan Carter (1,708) |
| League(s) | Super Rugby |
| 2016 | Quarterfinalist 4th (New Zealand Conference) 5th (Australasian Group) 7th (overall) |
| Official website | |
| crusaders |
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The Crusaders (formerly the Canterbury Crusaders and officially called the BNZ Crusaders for sponsorship reasons) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008). The franchise represents the Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, South Canterbury, Tasman and West Coast provincial Rugby Unions. Their main home ground is AMI Stadium, formerly known as Jade Stadium and before that, Lancaster Park.
Formed in 1996 to represent the upper South Island of New Zealand in the Super 12, the Crusaders struggled in their first season and finished last. Their performance improved in 1997 and the team finished sixth (out of twelve teams). The team went on to win all three titles from 1998 to 2000 despite each final being played away from home. They again won the competition in 2002 after going through the season unbeaten. In the following two seasons, they again reached the final, although they were beaten on both occasions. 2005 was the last season of the Super 12 before its expansion. After finishing top of the table in that season, the Crusaders went on to host the final in which they defeated the Waratahs. As a result of winning their fifth Super 12 title, the Crusaders were given the trophy to keep. In 2006, the Crusaders hosted the Hurricanes in the inaugural Super 14 final and won 19–12. In 2008 the Crusaders hosted the final at AMI Stadium against the Waratahs, and won the match 20–12 to claim their seventh title.
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