Crusaders Hall of Fame Inductee #8 - Caleb Ralph

The second alumni and Crusader legend to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2025 was Crusader #57 Caleb Ralph.  

Ralph is described as the perfect teammate who inspired others not by what he said, but by showing how things were done.  

He had a gift of seeing the game unfold before anyone else and shaped the success of the team with an unwavering commitment of putting the team first. 

He pulled on the Crusaders jersey for 10 seasons.  

He played 126 games, 104 of them consecutive.  

He scored 260 points and helped the Crusaders to five titles between 1999 and 2008. 

In front of a packed room of more than 900 people at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Ralph was inducted by Crusader #70 Ben Hurst. 

“This is quite an emotional day, I didn’t realise how emotional it would be,” says Ralph. 

“It’s surreal, I walked in and saw the previous inductees up on the wall, the people as a young guy I looked up to; they are legends and to be recognised alongside them is so humbling. It hasn’t really sunk in, and I don’t think it will for a long time,” 

Ralph played for the Chiefs and the Blues before arriving at the Crusaders in 1999.  

He says it’s an enviroment he’s never experienced before. 

“The values, vision and team ethos in this place, I’d never seen anything like it. I ended up thriving in it and I loved it.  

“It’s an amazing feeling coming back here and reconnecting with everyone. These guys genuinely want to know about you, they really care, and I couldn’t help but open up and embrace it all.  

“It’s not until you look back and reflect when it’s all over when you realise how awesome it was. While you’re playing, you don’t think about records or games played or tries scored, you just loved being a part of a team environment. It’s not until it’s finished that you really appreciate what you had.” 

Ralph put it simply: the Crusaders is just a special place.  

“It just feels like an extended family, everything is easy, you come in and work hard with your brothers and just enjoy every moment.”