Highly rated All Blacks forward extends New Zealand Rugby deal despite Scott Robertson snub
Ethan Blackadder in action for the All Blacks and the Crusaders.
The Crusaders have announced that experienced All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder has recommitted to the Christchurch-based outfit and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after agreeing terms on a contract extension.
The 30-year-old, who is highly rated in New Zealand, has re-signed until 2026 and his decision to extend his stay with the Crusaders is a major boost for the current Super Rugby Pacific champions.
‘I just love the Crusaders’
“I’m sticking round for one more and I’m absolutely rapt. There’s no other team I’d rather be playing for; I just love the Crusaders,” said Blackadder.
Blackadder was at the forefront of the Crusaders‘ 2025 triumphant Super Rugby Pacific campaign and came to the fore with some outstanding performances during the play-offs.
However, after shining in his team’s 16-12 victory over the Chiefs in the competition’s final in Christchurch last month, Blackadder was a surprise exclusion from All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson’s 33-man squad for their upcoming three-Test series against France in New Zealand.
Despite that, Blackadder, who is comfortable in all three positions in the back-row, revealed that it wasn’t a hard decision to extend his time in New Zealand and his contract with Super Rugby’s most successful franchise.
“We’ve got a real brotherhood here and we’re all very close friends, I’m stoked,” he said.
After making his debut for the Crusaders in 2018, Blackadder has gone on to achieve several milestones for his club and the All Blacks.
He made his Test debut in 2021 against Tonga but his career has been hampered by injuries which means he has only made 14 appearances for his country up to now.
Despite those injury setbacks, Blackadder is a consistent performer at club level and was named Crusaders Player of the Year and Champion Crusader of the Year in 2022, while he was also named as vice-captain for their 2025 season.
‘It means so much to be a part of this team’
“It’s hard to sum it up, but it means so much to be a part of this team,” he said.
“What the team’s done previously, the history behind it and the legacy that’s there and the players who have worn the jersey before you – it’s a rich history and to be continuing that and enjoying it along the way is really special.”
Blackadder expressed his delight that the Crusaders had another successful Super Rugby Pacific campaign after they failed to reach the tournament’s play-offs in 2024.
“It was such an enjoyable campaign – it had a bit of everything. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but we ended up putting ourselves in a position to win it and we managed to do so; it was a campaign I’ll never forget,” he added.