April 04, 2026

#hakinakina: CRUSADERS FAREWELL STADIUM IN STYLE WITH BIG WIN OVER DRUA

Matthew Tukaki Posted On April 4, 2026

The Crusaders have delivered a dominant performance in their final outing at Apollo Projects Stadium, overpowering the Fijian Drua in Christchurch.

In what marked the last match at the long-serving venue before the team shifts to a new stadium, the home side ran in a convincing win, finishing strongly with a high-scoring display.

The Crusaders set the tone early, crossing for tries within the opening minutes to establish control and pile pressure on the visitors. Early scores from Sevu Reece and Leicester Fainga’anuku helped the hosts build momentum and confidence.

From there, the match quickly turned one-sided, with the Crusaders dominating possession and territory. By fulltime, they had surged to a comprehensive 69–26 victory, underlining their attacking strength and control throughout the game.

The result caps off an era at Apollo Projects Stadium, which has been the Crusaders’ home ground since the Christchurch earthquakes and has hosted some of the franchise’s most successful years.

The team now prepares to move into the new One New Zealand Stadium, marking a new chapter for one of Super Rugby’s most decorated sides.

For the Drua, the loss highlights ongoing challenges away from home, despite flashes of attacking flair during the match.

The Crusaders’ performance sends a strong signal heading deeper into the Super Rugby Pacific season, as they continue to build momentum following a mixed start to the campaign.