Crusaders to change logo ahead of 2020 Super Rugby season

Canterbury Crusaders have retained their name for at least the 2020 season of Super Rugby season but they will have a change in logo following the mass shooting that happened in Christchurch in March.

The shooting that occurred on 15th March had 51 casualties and there was an outcry to change the branding and name of Crusaders which was associated with religious wars between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages.

Following an independent review, Crusaders have decided to change their logo that had a sword-wielding knight and further added that they are open to changing the name post 2020 season.

"Any changes recommended by that review will be announced by the end of 2019 and come into effect in the 2021 season," read a statement released by the club.

"In the meantime, the Crusaders name will be retained for the remainder of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but an interim change to the logo will come into effect for next season, with the removal of the knight and sword image."

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said a change to the name of the team prior to the next season would affect the commercial aspect of the club.

"The practical execution of a name or brand change takes significant time," Tew said.

"So even if we wanted to, no significant change would be feasible prior to the next Super Rugby season when you take into account obligations to commercial contracts that are linked to the existing brand, merchandise, and lead times on apparel.

"We have therefore concluded that we are better to pause our thinking on the team name at this point and instead allow that to become one of the outcomes of a full brand review."