Burke and possibly Moorby departing for overseas rugby offers
After weeks of public speculation, the Crusaders have confirmed the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season will be first five-eighth Fergus Burke’s last at the franchise.
The 24-year-old St Paul’s Collegiate School alumnus has signed a threeyear deal with London-based Gallagher Premiership club Saracens to replace departing England international Owen Farrell.
“I’m excited and grateful to be joining such a prestigious club. I am looking forward to coming over and meeting everyone at the club and all of the Saracens supporters,” Englishqualified Burke said.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is thrilled to welcome Burke to StoneX Stadium.
“Fergus is a very exciting addition to our squad and the Gallagher Premiership,” McCall said.
“His playing ability and potential is obvious and we have been hugely impressed by his ambition and desire to take his game to the next level.
“At 24, Fergus joins a group of players who we believe can take the club forward in the years to come.”
Farrell, the current Saracens captain, will join France-based Racing 92 at the end of the premiership season.
Upon returning from Achilles injury rehabilitation, Burke will play out the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season for the Crusaders, and the National Provincial Championship (NPC) season for Canterbury.
His return to play is expected as soon as round eight.
Since making his Crusaders debut in 2020, Burke has appeared on 34 occasions scoring 118 points.
At provincial level, he has played 48 matches since 2019, scoring 409 points.
The Crusaders’ statement wished him all the best for his future with the renowned Saracens club and said they look forward to him taking the field in red and black for the remainder of the 2024 season.
This announcement comes within days of French newspaper Midi Olympique reporting that Hurricanes outside back and Hamilton Boys’ High School alumnus Josh Moorby, 25, is set to sign with Montpellier Herault Rugby (France) on a two-year contract until 2026.
Originally hailing from Te Awamutu, Moorby played 21 times for Southland (2019-2021) before transferring to Northland in 2022 where he has become a backline mainstay.
He has been a prolific try scorer for the Hurricanes since his 2022 debut, scoring 18 tries in 30 appearances.
In 2022, he played a sole tour game for the Māori All Blacks against Ireland at Sky Stadium, Wellington.