Crusaders celebrate Super Rugby Pacific crown with parade

The Crusaders celebrated their victory as the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific champions with a lively parade in Christchurch on Monday.

They proudly displayed their championship trophy to family and supporters.

The team won their 15th title by narrowly defeating the Chiefs 16-12 in front of a packed Apollo Projects Stadium on Saturday night.

It's worth noting that two of their past titles were won when only New Zealand teams played during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Saturday's victory was especially meaningful after a tough season in 2024, as the Crusaders had previously enjoyed great success, winning five Super Rugby titles and two Super Rugby Aotearoa championships between 2017 and 2023.

They also continued an impressive streak, having never lost a home playoff match since 1998 and having a perfect record of 32 wins.

The parade on Monday afternoon was not only about celebrating the championship.

It was also a special occasion for several players, including forwards Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, halfback Noah Hotham, and backs Sevu Reece and Will Jordan, who were earlier in the day named in the All Blacks squad to face France next month.

Crusaders' Number Eight Christian Lio-Willie has been picked as a replacement for injured Chiefs captain Luke Jacobsen.

Crusaders captain David Havili and coach Rob Penney show off the Super Rugby Pacific Trophy during Monday's victory parade in Christchurch. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

Social media posts showed a solid crowd had turned out in Christchurch for the Crusaders’ “Champions Parade,” which saw the team arrive via tram at the corner of Cashel and High Streets.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger was on hand to meet the team. Captain David Havili also addressed the crowd before his side posed for photographs with fans and signed autographs.

However, Havili and fellow team-mate Ethan Blackadder were left out of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson's squad.

Monday's parade also marked the last official appearance as a Crusader for former Wallaby James O’Connor, who will continue his career overseas.

O'Connor joined the Crusaders in January and now has won his first-ever Super Rugby title after debuting for the Force in 2008.

The veteran fly-half was not selected for the Wallabies’ upcoming Test match against Fiji in Newcastle next month, which will likely rule him out of the British & Irish Lions series.

Fans gather for their team's celebrations in Christchurch. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

Wallabies' coach Joe Schmidt opted for younger players in the Brumbies' Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson from the Force, and the Reds' Tom Lynagh over the 34-year-old O’Connor.

Schmidt told the Australian media that O’Connor’s skill set and versatility were attractive, and his experience could have been important for “player-to-player coaching”.

But the former All Blacks Assistant Coach wants to stick with the three younger pivots he chose instead.

Photo/John Davidson/Photosport