Crusaders unveil 2026 jersey: A design built on the past that nods to the future
The Crusaders have unveiled their 2026 home jersey – a design that honours 30 years of history while embracing a bold new chapter at One New Zealand Stadium.
Created by designer Anzac Tasker, the jersey is more than fabric. It’s a story woven with legacy and pride.
“Our role is to ensure what we create feels like an extension of the people who wear it – players, fans, and the wider community,” says Tasker.
Braided river textures cascade down the jersey, representing the many streams of contribution that have shaped the Crusaders’ success.
“Those rivers tell a powerful story; they represent individual journeys that come together to create collective strength.” says Tasker.
This textured design reminds us that success is never built in isolation – it built on the sacrifices and service of many that have brought us here.
"Like rivers that meet and add momentum to each other, these details honour those who have carried the team to this point and will keep driving us forward."
The design also draws inspiration from Te Kaha’s architecture, symbolising the Crusaders’ new home and the strength that flows through the team.
One feature players insisted on – a complete non-negotiable – was recognising the six provincial unions that form the backbone of Crusaders rugby. Six peaks sit proudly on the back of the collar representing those regions.
“These unions have shaped our legacy and remain the foundation of who we are today,” says Tasker.
Past and present players helped shape this jersey.
Crusader #84 Dan Carter says it was an honour to be involved in the process of creating the 2026 jersey.
"Wearing the jersey has always been about upholding and strengthening the legacy of the Crusaders and having pride in the red and black. I’m stoked to see the six provincial unions proudly represented – they’re a big part of who we are.”
Samuel Whitelock was another past player involved in the jersey design process.
“It’s always special to stay connected with the Crusaders, but to be asked to have input into the 2026 jersey was incredibly humbling,” says Whitelock.
"It tells such a powerful story of our club and to have past and present Crusaders contribute to the ongoing legacy of the team in ways such as this is awesome. I can’t wait to see the team wear it next season.”
The jersey is designed to feel like a korowai (a traditional Māori cloak) – a tohu that wraps around the shoulders, symbolising strength and care for one another. It’s a reminder that rugby is more than a game; it’s a vehicle for belonging and community.
“When players pull this jersey on, they’ll feel the warmth of that cloak, the weight of history, and the privilege of contributing to a proud legacy,” says Tasker.
“And when fans wear it too, players and supporters become one team.”
Every detail reflects the Crusaders’ deep connection to their community.
“It’s a shared sense of pride that binds us as one team, one whānau, and one home in the top half of the South Island,” says Tasker.
On the back of the neck sits a powerful detail: Mā pango, mā whero, ka oti te mahi – with great leadership and the strength of our community, anything is possible.
This feature invites everyone into the Crusaders story, recognising that players don’t reach the field alone. They’re lifted by sacrifice, whānau, and the communities that shape them.
In addition to the home jersey, the Crusaders have launched the 2026 away and heritage jersey.
As a nod to the past, and in recognition of 30 Years of Super Rugby, we will open the 2026 season wearing our heritage jersey – a reimagined 1996 Crusaders playing jersey.
