The scorer of the first ever Super rugby try for the Crusaders, Brad Fleming is probably as well known for his deeds as a try-scorer for the New Zealand Sevens team, as he is for the 15-man game. Fleming appeared in 35 international tournaments for New Zealand from 1995 to 2004, making the side from his Bay of Plenty home shortly before he transferred to Canterbury in time for the 1996 season, and a place in the first Crusade. It was therefore somewhat ironic that he should score the first Crusaders try against what essentially would have been his home franchise, in the form of the Chiefs. A Crusader for one season only, the former national Under-16 sprint champion appeared eight times for Canterbury in 1996 and 1997 before going on to represent Wellington and Otago later in his career.