Misgivings about name
The chairman of the original Crusaders board admits he privately had reservations about the team’s name.
Donald Stewart, who chaired the Crusaders board before the Super 12 competition (as it was then known) was launched in 1996, said it was NZ Rugby who came up with the idea of labelling the Christchurch-based team.
Because NZ Rugby owned the five New Zealand franchises they had full control of the process; the Crusaders board, as the ‘‘managers’’ of the new organisation, followed instructions and ran with the ideas, said Stewart.
At the time Stewart, now based in Sydney, admits he did wonder if the Crusaders title was a good fit for a professional rugby team that was hoping to make an impact at a time when broadcasters would be beaming out games around the world.
‘‘My personal opinion at some time during the process, and I am not saying right from the get-go, I had doubts on the basis that we were trying to project ourselves globally with an international competition,’’ Stewart said.
‘‘And I wondered whether this name might prove offensive to some potential viewers. I probably didn’t share that opinion widely.’’
Following the horrific attacks on two mosques in Christchurch last Friday, the Crusaders will investigate whether they should seek to make changes to their famous moniker.
The Crusaders are tied to history in a manner many thought wasn’t possible until an Australian gunman went on a rampage and killed 50 members of the Muslim community. The Crusades were a long series of conflicts that included wars between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East about 1000 years ago.
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said his organisation will tap into feedback they are receiving, and will consult a range of people about a potential name change. Stewart accepts a change may be necessary.
‘‘I guess I have to stay with the view that if it proves to be an offensive name to a group of potential constituents, viewers, advertisers or whatever they should look very closely at changing it,’’ Stewart said. ‘‘That is my personal view.’’
The debate about whether the Super Rugby champions, the most successful team with nine titles, should seek an alternative is proving to be a polarising issue among loyal supporters.
Even Stewart accepts some of his friends within the rugby community may disagree with his opinion. Given his misgivings from the outset, he said it was important to stick to his word.
While the names of the other four New Zealand teams could be linked to their regions through historical or geographical reasons, Stewart privately wondered if the Crusaders label was relevant to a team based in New Zealand.
On the Crusaders’ official website it states that one the potential names in the mix was the ‘‘Plainsmen’’. But Stewart said his recollection of what took place when rugby turned professional after the 1995 World Cup differed.
‘‘We inherited a name. I think the colours and the jerseys, we may have had some input into it. We never challenged it; we accepted it and marketed it.’’
Stewart served one year as Crusaders chairman, but remained on the board until he moved to Auckland in 2000. He said he was appalled to learn about the tragedy in Christchurch.
‘‘What has happened in the past week is just beyond imagination. Just like the whole world, I am horrified. It is such a disgusting act. There is no rationalisation for this sort of stuff.’’
● Meanwhile Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson says he supports any discussions around a potential name change for the Crusaders.