All Black Braydon Ennor re-signs with Crusaders
Photo:
John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
The Crusaders have locked in nine-test All Black midfielder Braydon Ennor through to 2026.
Ennor moved to Christchurch from Auckland as an 18-year-old and has since racked up 68 appearances for the Crusaders, and has been part of several successful campaigns.
"It was a pretty easy decision to make," he said.
"I've done all my growing as a man here, this is home for me now. A few championships, eight seasons, I just love going to the well with the boys and I love turning up to Rugby Park every day and going to work."
Ennor first made the move south in 2015 when he joined the Crusaders academy.
He debuted on the provincial scene in 2017, earning a Super Rugby call up the following year.
"It was a big pull coming from Auckland, you always looked at the red and black as a very successful franchise, that's why I came down, to be a part of it and be a part of the legacy.
"We've had a lot of success and that's been awesome, but it's been the little wins along the way that've been most enjoyable."
The 28-year-old said pulling on the red and black jersey every week was a privilege.
"It comes with a lot of emotions and a lot of memories. From being the young guy wanting to have that jersey every week to being able to start, it's always been a challenge, there's always been competition in the jersey for your positions but you're playing for each other.
"But to be the ones to put on the jersey every week and go out there and play the big games and make the big plays, it's the best thing in the world."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Quartet of rugby league tests set for Auckland
The Kiwis will play Samoa and Tonga while the Ferns will meet Samoa and Australia. Photo: Photosport Auckland will host both the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns in two blockbuster double header weekends later this year. The annual Pacific Championships will see a double-header between the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns and Toa Samoa and Fetu Samoa respectively at Tāmaki Makaurau's Go Media Stadium on Sunday 19 October. Then, on Sunday 2 November, Eden Park will host the Kiwi Ferns taking on the Australian Jillaroos before the Kiwis face Tonga. NZRL chief executive Greg Peters said rugby league test matches did not get much better than these Pacific clashes. "We know the staunchly proud Tongan and Samoan fans especially will come out in force, celebrating their teams and culture in what will be unmissable matches. With the growth of the women's game too, having the Kiwi Ferns back in Auckland for two matches this year, where they have a strong supporter base, is pivotal in inspiring the next generation of female fans and young players in the game." Set against a near sell-out crowd last year, Pacific rivals Tonga took down the Kiwis in a thrilling match 25-24. With current champions the Australian Kangaroos heading to the Northern Hemisphere, the title is up for grabs, and the Kiwis will be wanting to lift the trophy again after winning the inaugural championships in 2023. The Kiwi Ferns too will be looking to claim back their 2023 title, a series that saw them defeat the Australian Jillaroos for the first time in seven years. Those heroics couldn't be repeated last year, going down in the final 24-4 to the Jillaroos. The match-up against Fetu Samoa will however offer the Kiwi Ferns a new test, having not played Samoa since 2020. The Pacific Championships features two tiers - the Pacific Cup and the Pacific Bowl - with the competing nations going head-to-head in a round robin format before the top two teams in each tier head to the finals, to be played again at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Sunday 19 October Go Media Stadium, Auckland Kiwi Ferns vs Fetu Samoa Kiwis vs Toa Samoa Sunday 2 November Eden Park, Auckland Kiwi Ferns vs Australian Jillaroos Kiwis vs Tonga Sunday 9 November CommBank Stadium, Sydney Grand Finals, men's and women's Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
World Triathlon's biggest event to return to NZ
Hayden Wilde is looking forward to competing on his home turf. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Tauranga will host the biggest event in the world of triathlon, with Triathlon New Zealand awarded the 2028 World Triathlon Championships. The city will host the championships as part of a three-year partnership with World Triathlon, which will also see a World Triathlon Cup in Tauranga in 2026, and the World Triathlon Championship Series race in 2027. The partnership will culminate with the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Series Grand Final. Alongside the grand final, Tauranga will host the Age Group World Championships, Paratriathlon World Championships, and World Triathlon Congress in November 2028. New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde, who grew up in the Bay of Plenty, is excited the event is coming back to Aotearoa: "Being in the place I train and being very close to my home town." Wilde, an Olympic bronze and silver medallist, said 2028 would be a huge year for him. "The LA Olympics and potentially my last Olympics but also probably my last short-course race before I look to go full distance in the ironman so to have the opportunity to race at home. Race in front of friends and family for the grand final in 2028 is super exciting for me and and could be a really cool way to have a bit of a send off in my short-course career," Wilde said. At an event launch in Tauranga on Wednesday morning, Triathlon New Zealand chief executive Pete de Wet described it as a momentous day for the sport in Aotearoa. "After an absence of 16 years, the World Triathlon Championship Series final will be returning to our shores in 2028, and we couldn't be prouder. Triathlon has such a rich heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we are excited to be adding to that history over the next three years," de Wet said. "Our age group athletes are loved around the world for their unique Kiwiana approach, and I am so pleased for all those that are dedicated to attending world championship events around the world, that they will finally have the chance to do this at home, in Tauranga, in 2028." De Wet, who is also a World Triathlon Executive board director, said it would be a rare opportunity for New Zealand's top triathletes. "And for our elite athletes, who campaign for so much of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the chance to race at home, in front of their family, friends and fellow New Zealanders will be truly special." Tauranga will welcome the international triathlon community as part of a three-year partnership. Photo: Simon Dawson Photography Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the events would be a major boost to the economy and provide global exposure for the region and country. The events are expected to attract thousands of athletes, supporters, and spectators over the three-year cycle, with 4500 total athletes expected for World Triathlon Championship Finals 2028 alone. The three-year partnership will generate 6000 international visitors, 100,000 international visitor nights and $25 million in tourism visitor spend. Tauranga mayor and Olympic gold medallist Mahé Drysdale is thrilled with the news. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Tauranga ayor Mahé Drysdale, a two-time Olympic champion in rowing, was also at this morning's announcement. Drysdale said securing the World Triathlon events was a landmark achievement for Tauranga, and reflected the city's aspiration to be a premier destination for major international events. "Tauranga already boasts a proud triathlon heritage, with annual events such as the Mount Festival of Multisport, the Tinman Triathlon, and the Surfbreaker Triathlon, delivering strong community engagement and economic benefits. Hosting three of the sport's most prestigious international events will build on that momentum and elevate our city to the world stage," Drysdale said. "These events are about more than sport - they're an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy. From inspiring the next generation of athletes to boosting tourism, showcasing our manaakitanga, and creating enduring economic and social benefits, the impact will be felt well beyond the finish line." World Triathlon president Antonio Arimany is excited at the prospect of triathlon's biggest event returning to a country with a rich heritage in the sport. New Zealand previously hosted the pinnacle event in Queenstown in 2003 and Auckland in 2012. Event partners include the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Tauranga City Council, and World Triathlon.

RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
NZ Warriors retain Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at centre, name trio for return from injuries
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was a last-minute switch to centre against the Dolphins. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ NZ Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs Kickoff: 9.35pm Saturday, 9 August Accor Stadium, Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad seems destined to log more time at centre for NZ Warriors, but three key performers have been named for possible returns form this week against Canterbury Bulldogs. Five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) and interchange forward Demitric Vaimauga (knee) have been included in the gameday line-up, after missing last week's last-gasp loss to the Dolphins, while co-captain James Fisher-Harris (calf) is among the extended reserves, pending a fitness test. Fisher-Harris was thought to be a two-week absence, but has managed some limited work at training. "I'm not surprised," he offered. "Day by day, bro... it's a pretty simple mindset, but that's how I roll. "When the time's right." Harris-Tavita has been preferred over Te Maire Martin, who replaced him in the halves against the Dolphins, but has served as a utility off the bench this season, covering anywhere in the backline and dummy half, as required. "There's still doubt over who's available, so we're waiting to see how they all go and then make a decision from there," coach Andrew Webster. "I didn't want to make a decision and be closed off to something, and then something changes. "I just want to wait and see how everything goes. There's an opportunity for Te Maire to go back to that utility role on the bench and then both halves play the way they did against the Tigers." With specialist centres Rocco Berry (shoulder) and Ali Leiataua (knee) both sidelined for an extended period, Webster opted to move Kurt Capewell back into the second row and shift Nicoll-Klokstad into the midfield, alongside winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Adam Pompey moved across to shore up the right-edge defence and Taine Tuaupiki slotted in at fullback. "We're a bit low on centres at the moment," Webster said. "Taine did a really good job at fullback, Charnze did a really good job at centre. "I thought Charnze was particularly defensively sound and he was awesome at off-the-ball stuff, getting back to help the back five. I think Roger would be really grateful for the amount of work Charnze did to support him." Meanwhile, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo hasn't panicked, despite their upset loss to Wests Tigers last week, sticking with the same players. Canterbury had a chance to go top of the NRL table with a win, but were ambushed by Benji Marshall's side in the wet. Warriors: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Marata Niukore, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Erin Clark Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Edie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18. Freddy Lussick, 21. Ed Kosi, 22. Kayless Fatialofa, 23. James Fisher-Harris, 24. Bunty Afoa Bulldogs: 1. Jacob Kiraz, 2. Jethro Rinakama, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Lachlan Galvin, 8. Max King, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Sam Hughes, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Harry Hayes, 16. Josh Curran, 17, Bailey Hayward Reserves: 19. Mitchell Woods, 20. Blake Wilson, 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita, 22. Kurtis Morrin, 23. Toby Sexton Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.