The Crusaders were formed in 1996. They represent the New Zealand Rugby Provincial Unions of Buller, Canterbury, Mid-Canterbury, Sth Canterbury, Tasman & West Coast. Their home ground is AMI Stadium (formerly Lancaster Park) in Christchurch.
Their colours are Red with Black sleeves.
The Crusaders play 7 games at Home & 6 Away in the 2010 season. Their bye is in the 7th round.
Their 2010 coach is Todd Blackadder (a former Crusaders & All Black captain).
Previous coaches were: Vance Stewart, Wayne Smith (current All Black selector & coach) & Robbie Deans (current Australian coach).
The captain is current All Black captain & 2009 IRB player of the year, Richie McCaw.
Current & past All Blacks in the 2009 squad are: Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Zac Guilford, Chris Jack, Isaac Ross, George Whitelock, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Kieran Read & Brad Thorn.
The Crusaders finished in 4th position at the end of the 2009 round-robin stages. They have finished in the top 4 of the round-robin stages of the Super competition 11 times out of 14 years. Their worst finish was last out of 12 in the first year - 1996.
In the Top 4 play-offs they have featured in 9 finals, winning 7 times in 1998,1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 & 2008.
Their Home & Away winning percentage is 78% & 54% respectively. Their average Home & Away scores against all teams is: 34.3 v 20.8 at Home & 26.4 v 25.5 Away. Their toughest opponents at Home have been the Blues & Away the Brumbies closely followed by the Blues & Highlanders.
Their best score & winning margin (+77) was 96-19 against the Waratahs in 2002. Their worst score was 26-58 against the Sharks in 1996. Their worst losing margin was (-35) against the Brumbies in 2001.
They have had one season (including the Top 4 play-offs) - 2002 - where they won all games.
They are 1st on the New Zealand TAB fixed odds to win the competition @ $4. On overseas betting places they are also picked at 1st @ $4.
Their website is: www.crusaders.co.nz