Macca Springer Signs to 2028

Macca Springer has shown his long-term commitment to the Crusaders and has extended his contract through to 2028.  

"I've always wanted to be a Crusader," he says. 

Springer grew up in Tasman and is a product of Waimea College.  

"Growing up in the region, I saw a lot of players from Tasman join the Crusaders and it inspired me. Dave Havili is someone I really look up to as he's played for both Tasman and the Crusaders." 

After a year in the Crusaders Academy, Springer made his debut in 2023. 

"I look back on my debut and when I was running out, I thought to myself it was only a year prior to that I was sitting in those stands as a fan thinking how special it would be to play for the Crusaders. That was a pretty surreal moment." 

The 22-year-old says the main reason he wanted to re-sign is the culture at the club.  

"Everyone wants to be here and that's what you feel when you walk in the door. You come to work with your mates every day and the respect in this place is huge. I remember when I first came here as a teenager, the respect I got given even from the senior players who had played at All Blacks Test level for ages blew me away." 

Springer is second equal on the 2025 Super Rugby try scoring ladder with eight tries so far this season – five of them were against the Western Force where he tied Sean Wainui's record for most tries in a Super Rugby game.   

Now in his third season, the outside back is relishing learning off the senior players in the team.  

"I'm just trying to soak up everything I can, and the likes of Leicester Faingaʻanuku coming back to the Crusaders next year will give me the chance to learn off a player like him which will be awesome." 

Macca and Leicester celebrate v the Western Force in 2023

He's also realising the potential of the younger players in the squad. 

"The younger boys that are staying on a bit longer – the likes of Noah and Taha as well, we're all trying to put our best foot forward and create our own legacy in this place. It's a weird feeling knowing we will be leaders in this team soon – Dave is telling me, you've got to start stepping up, it's going to be your team soon, so you've got to start leading it. 

"The opportunity to re-sign for the next three years has started the conversations amongst us young players about how we are the next ones to add to the legacy here and the fact we need to step up – it's a big challenge but it's exciting." 

Another factor that's added to Springer's motivation to stay is the opportunity to play in the new stadium.

"It's going to be unreal and for our community to get involved in that too is awesome. Our fans are the best, to get the crowds in the weekend that we do is crazy, I'm so excited to play at the new stadium next year," he says.