All Blacks utility back signs Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby contract extension
Braydon Ennor in action for the All Blacks and Crusaders (inset).
The Crusaders have announced that experienced All Blacks utility back Braydon Ennor has recommitted to the Christchurch-based outfit and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after agreeing terms on a contract extension.
The 28-year-old, who hails from Auckland, has been part of the Crusaders set-up for the past 10 years after joining their academy in 2015.
Despite an injury-plagued career, Ennor has thrived at the Crusaders and been part of several of their Super Rugby-winning campaigns and also helped New Zealand win the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2017.
Apart from making 76 appearances for the Crusaders, Ennor has also played in nine Tests for the All Blacks and is delighted to further his career in Christchurch.
‘ I’ve done all my growing as a man here’
“I moved down here when I was 18, straight out of school. I’ve done all my growing as a man here; this is home for me now,” said Ennor.
“I love turning up to Rugby Park every day and going to work.”
He said older people talked about how quickly time goes and enjoying it while it happens and now he has already completed eight seasons with the Crusaders.
“It does go quickly because it’s so enjoyable,” added Ennor, who is equally adept at centre or on the wing.
“I came down for the academy first. It was pretty intimidating; I didn’t know anyone down here. It was a decision to come down here for the city, the university and the rugby. I wasn’t signed until I was 19.”
Despite being part of plenty of the Crusaders’ successes on the field, he has also been through tough times with the franchise.
Ennor was still in high school during the 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch and made the move to the city in 2015 before making his provincial debut with Canterbury in 2017 and his Crusaders bow in Super Rugby in 2018.
“Being able to come down here and see first-hand how the city has fought its way back to life and now they’re the shining light of New Zealand, it’s a pretty cool place to be part of,” he explained.
“To be part of a team that is so looked up to in the region is awesome.”
Despite being born and bred in Auckland, Ennor did not hesitate to make the move to Christchurch and has not regretted his decision.
‘It’s been the little wins along the way’
“We’ve had a lot of success and that’s been awesome, but it’s been the little wins along the way. They’ve been the most enjoyable,” he said.
“It’s a very welcoming city and environment and it’s an easy change to make.”
He also revealed that the competition for starting places at the Crusaders is tough but he enjoys it.
“It comes with a lot of emotions and a lot of memories, from being the young guy wanting to have the jersey every week to being able to start,” added Ennor. “It’s always been a challenge; there’s always been competition in the jersey for your positions, but you’re playing for each other.
“But to be the ones to put on the jersey every week and go out there and play the big games and make the big plays, it’s the best thing in the world.”