BNZ Crusaders past and present to battle it out for charity

Nov 27 • General News, Super Rugby • 1671 Views • Comments Off on BNZ Crusaders past and present to battle it out for charity

They’re some of the best rugby players the region has seen, but we’re about to find out whether they can play cricket. Members of the 2016 BNZ Crusaders squad will pit their skills against some past Crusaders legends next Sunday, 6 December, in the annual Cystic Fibrosis Crusaders Charity Cricket Match.

The event has been running for over 30 years and is a major fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand. The match is free to attend but raises money through a raffle at the event and a halftime auction including items such as sports memorabilia, massage vouchers and beauty hampers, with all proceeds going towards helping families living with Cystic Fibrosis in our community.

The ‘Crusaders Past’ team will be captained by Justin Marshall and includes five players from the original 1996 Crusaders squad as well as other players who have represented the team at various times. The ‘Crusaders Present’ team will be managed by Israel Dagg, who is unable to play due to injury, and captained by Mitchell Drummond.

Dagg says he has selected a fine young team to take on Marshall’s troops.

“We had trials earlier this week and there is some genuine talent in this group. I think that we have a distinct age advantage in this game, and I suspect a pretty substantial fitness advantage too. I don’t think we’ll have any problem wearing the old fellas out,” Dagg jibed.

“At the end of the day though, it’s not really about us or which team wins. It’s about raising funds for this really worthy cause, and that’s something we’re all really keen to get behind. It would be awesome to see a really big crowd come along on Sunday and support the teams and, more importantly, the cause.”

There will be entertainment for all the family, with an activity area including segways, a bouncy castle and face painting, plenty of food and drink on offer, and a chance to meet some of your BNZ Crusaders heroes – old or new!

The event runs from 11am until approximately 3pm at Christchurch Boys’ High School, Sunday 6 December.