While the Crusaders have often drawn in players from all over the country, Wellington halfback Elton Moncrieff brought some unique recent ‘form’ with him when he arrived as a reinforcement in 1998, having played for the Queensland Reds in the previous year’s Super 12. Moncrieff, who was roped in to replace Justin Marshall after the All Black halfback ruptured his Achilles tendon against the NSW Waratahs, played 27 matches for Wellington between 1993 and 1998 but spent the 1997 season on the Gold Coast where he attracted the attention of the Queensland coaching staff, which included former All Black Grant Batty. Although he played just one match for the Sunshine State, that history is one of two significant statistics attached to Moncrieff’s involvement with the Crusaders. Standing at just 1.71m, he is also the smallest player ever to have worn the jersey.