Matt Todd commits to Crusaders

Crusaders have confirmed that flanker Matt Todd has penned a new deal with the Super Rugby club.

The 30-year-old has been with the training group of Crusaders since 2010 and his debut for the club a year later when former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw had an early end to the season due to injury.

Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach welcomed the decision while also confirmed that Todd will head to Japan for a short-term deal with Panasonic Wild Knights at the end of this year's Super Rugby season.

“Matt Todd has signed a short term deal with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, which he will commence at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season,” Riach told the Crusaders’ official website.

“We are thrilled to confirm that Matt will then return to New Zealand, having re-committed to the BNZ Crusaders and NZR for 2019.”

Todd, who has signed a contract until 2019 season is looking forward to the campaign ahead with Crusaders and Knights.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to sign and play for Panasonic Wild Knights. I know they are an extremely successful club who play a great style of rugby, and are also very well coached. My family and I are really looking forward to getting up to Japan and experiencing Ota and the Japanese way of life.

“I will be returning to the Crusaders and NZR in 2019 and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”