May 9, 2025 • 5 mins
The Crusaders inducted three more players into their Hall of Fame.
Mark Hammett, Caleb Ralph, and Greg Sommerville were awarded the honour at a world class function held at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge spoke with Lesley Murdoch following the event, talking about how much this iconic event means to every person involved with the Crusaders be they players, staff or supporters.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, I don't know if there was too much dancing
after that fantastic world class Hall of Fame induction by
the Crusaders yesterday. But I tell you what, what a
privilege again to be part of and witness the emotion,
the respect that was shown in a variety ways. And
I thought it's very timely and apt to go to
(00:22):
the CEO of our Crusaders, Colin Mansbridge. He joined us
this morning, Colin, good morning, more dinner.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
More than Leslie? How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Oh look, still buzzing, absolutely buzzing. Every year. It just lifts,
doesn't it. In terms of the event itself, As I mentioned,
world class. The harker from the current Crusaders twenty twenty
five was magnificent, but even better the stories coming from
our Crusaders, and I'm talking the likes of the new
(00:50):
inductees Mark HAMMTT, Caleb Rolf and Greg Somerville. Congratulations Colin,
it was just brilliant.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Oh thank you so much. Leliete's AT's moments like that
when you a lot of emotion, people telling their stories,
the staff who have been involved in putting it together,
you know, a few tears and that after the event
because they're so proud of that, the work they've done,
and it's you know, to be around it, it's pretty
(01:18):
amazing and it's I think what I loved, Leslie was
the stories. The stories. You would have thought that those
three inductees, who like the six before the six seven
before them, have laid a foundation for this organization. You
would have thought that they had written the strategy papers
(01:38):
for the board yesterday. You know, it's that current, and
I think that's what's wonderful about this place is is
that the DNA has been built from ninety six to
ninety seven and it remains the same to this day.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
We spoke with Mark Hammick lucky enough to get a
little bit of audio for him after seven o'clock. He
talked about that coming last in nineteen ninety six, getting
sixth next year, and then it all just came to
fruition after that for many many years. But I guess
you know, you talked about the emotion. The other part
of yesterday at Tapai for the Hall of Fame induction
(02:14):
is around the Youth Hub as well, and hearing from
Dame Sue Bagshaw and seeing the visual guest videos of
the Crusaders who were down there at the youth how
putting some of the finishing touches to the magnificent structure.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yes, Dame Sue's wonderful, isn't She's She's the absolute opposite
of a rugby player. She's about one foot five all
and the minyas a person in stature, but in terms
of impact and aura and manna, she's just you know,
she's massive. And the work they do is really special
(02:50):
and it's grabbed the attention of the of the lads
this year and they've got really behind it. You've heard
about a couple all of them becoming ambassadors and Will
Jordan offering every time he scores a try, you know,
to donate a thousand dollars towards the wonderful facility he's got,
(03:12):
and then of course he spends all his time passing
the ball now ever since. But ye wonderful, cause, yeah,
it certainly is.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
And you know that the other parts you've already touched
on hearing the stories, and I think for me listening
to Caleb and Mark and Greg, it's the value that
the current Crusaders are putting back on them that they
find almost wondrous.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, I get surprised. You know, I've been here a
few years now, but I still get surprised how connected
everybody is from from first to last. And how you know,
you hear those those gents talk like fans about the
current crop and then you hear the current crop talk
(03:58):
with awa and wonder about those guys who are their fans.
And it's that connection. It's it's really really special. It's
it's humbling and it's it's wonderful to watch. It's a
I mean, the game of footy is you know, it's
so good for so many people and and yeah you
just said that it's very best in the daylight yesterday.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Oh absolutely well, we just wanted to bring up and
say well done again. Kirsty Brown and her team have
done magnificent work again. It's you know, just under a
thousand people into pie great venue, best venue and it
is truly a world class event. And you know the
history so many people doesn't matter whether they play rugby
or they don't, but have been influenced by the Crusaders Club.
(04:40):
And massive hats off and congratulations and thanks for coming
to the phone and enjoy tonight.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Thank you letting me fingers cross. Let's go there you are.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, full house right, it is absolutely yep. Thank you
very much. Enjoy the day. Colin Madsbridge, our CEO of
the Crusaders or more from.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
News Talk st B.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
Well, I don't know if there was too much dancing
after that fantastic world class Hall of Fame induction by
the Crusaders yesterday. But I tell you what, what a
privilege again to be part of and witness the emotion,
the respect that was shown in a variety ways. And
I thought it's very timely and apt to go to
(00:22):
the CEO of our Crusaders, Colin Mansbridge. He joined us
this morning, Colin, good morning, more dinner.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
More than Leslie? How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Oh look, still buzzing, absolutely buzzing. Every year. It just lifts,
doesn't it. In terms of the event itself, As I mentioned,
world class. The harker from the current Crusaders twenty twenty
five was magnificent, but even better the stories coming from
our Crusaders, and I'm talking the likes of the new
(00:50):
inductees Mark HAMMTT, Caleb Rolf and Greg Somerville. Congratulations Colin,
it was just brilliant.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Oh thank you so much. Leliete's AT's moments like that
when you a lot of emotion, people telling their stories,
the staff who have been involved in putting it together,
you know, a few tears and that after the event
because they're so proud of that, the work they've done,
and it's you know, to be around it, it's pretty
(01:18):
amazing and it's I think what I loved, Leslie was
the stories. The stories. You would have thought that those
three inductees, who like the six before the six seven
before them, have laid a foundation for this organization. You
would have thought that they had written the strategy papers
(01:38):
for the board yesterday. You know, it's that current, and
I think that's what's wonderful about this place is is
that the DNA has been built from ninety six to
ninety seven and it remains the same to this day.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
We spoke with Mark Hammick lucky enough to get a
little bit of audio for him after seven o'clock. He
talked about that coming last in nineteen ninety six, getting
sixth next year, and then it all just came to
fruition after that for many many years. But I guess
you know, you talked about the emotion. The other part
of yesterday at Tapai for the Hall of Fame induction
(02:14):
is around the Youth Hub as well, and hearing from
Dame Sue Bagshaw and seeing the visual guest videos of
the Crusaders who were down there at the youth how
putting some of the finishing touches to the magnificent structure.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yes, Dame Sue's wonderful, isn't She's She's the absolute opposite
of a rugby player. She's about one foot five all
and the minyas a person in stature, but in terms
of impact and aura and manna, she's just you know,
she's massive. And the work they do is really special
(02:50):
and it's grabbed the attention of the of the lads
this year and they've got really behind it. You've heard
about a couple all of them becoming ambassadors and Will
Jordan offering every time he scores a try, you know,
to donate a thousand dollars towards the wonderful facility he's got,
(03:12):
and then of course he spends all his time passing
the ball now ever since. But ye wonderful, cause, yeah,
it certainly is.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
And you know that the other parts you've already touched
on hearing the stories, and I think for me listening
to Caleb and Mark and Greg, it's the value that
the current Crusaders are putting back on them that they
find almost wondrous.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, I get surprised. You know, I've been here a
few years now, but I still get surprised how connected
everybody is from from first to last. And how you know,
you hear those those gents talk like fans about the
current crop and then you hear the current crop talk
(03:58):
with awa and wonder about those guys who are their fans.
And it's that connection. It's it's really really special. It's
it's humbling and it's it's wonderful to watch. It's a
I mean, the game of footy is you know, it's
so good for so many people and and yeah you
just said that it's very best in the daylight yesterday.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
Oh absolutely well, we just wanted to bring up and
say well done again. Kirsty Brown and her team have
done magnificent work again. It's you know, just under a
thousand people into pie great venue, best venue and it
is truly a world class event. And you know the
history so many people doesn't matter whether they play rugby
or they don't, but have been influenced by the Crusaders Club.
(04:40):
And massive hats off and congratulations and thanks for coming
to the phone and enjoy tonight.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Thank you letting me fingers cross. Let's go there you are.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, full house right, it is absolutely yep. Thank you
very much. Enjoy the day. Colin Madsbridge, our CEO of
the Crusaders or more from.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
News Talk st B.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
Listen live on air or online, and keep our shows
with you wherever you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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