Drummond stays at Crusaders until 2024

Those who follow Mitchell Drummond on social media probably weren’t surprised by the halfback’s decision to re-sign with the Crusaders through 2024.

His recent acquisition of the Bush Inn Tavern in Christchurch, a venture he plans to be hands-on with, might have been a clue Christchurch is where his foreseeable future is.

As Drummond said ahead of training yesterday, life is good for the first player to commit to the Crusaders beyond 2023.

“The main thing is I’m really happy here. Life is great, obviously the rugby part of it plays a big factor. But I actually just really enjoy Christchurch as a whole,” he said.

“I’m in a good spot at the moment and enjoying where my life is at. And, obviously, the Crusaders are a big part of my life.”

Drummond, who played his 100th match for the Crusaders on April 17, against the Chiefs in Hamilton, joins assistant coach Jason Ryan on the books for at least another three campaigns.

More signings are expected in the coming days, weeks and months, including that of head coach Scott Robertson.

Drummond’s new deal takes him to within a season of what’s expected to be the first campaign the

Crusaders play in Christchurch’s new multi-purpose indoor arena.

“I don’t know if it’s close enough, though. Who knows, but it’s nice to be sticking around,” Drummond said.

It’s been an eventful couple of weeks for the 27-year-old, who just last week, alongside a friend he grew up with in Nelson, took possession of their own tavern in Riccarton.

However, his primary focus this week is preparing for the Crusaders’ crunch match against the Rebels in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

At stake is a spot in the transtasman final Saturday week, and the Crusaders will know precisely what’s required of them come kickoff at Leichhardt Oval at 4.35pm (NZT).

Equal with the Highlanders on 18 points, the Dunedin-based side holds a +82 to +71 points differential edge over them ahead of their game against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.