The Brazilian Rugby Union (Confederação Brasileira de Rugby - CBRu), the Crusaders Franchise Limited, and the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) are pleased to announce the signing of a 2012-2017 agreement whereby the Crusaders and the CRFU will make available to CBRu a number of qualified full-time trainers and visiting coaches to assist the planning and execution of CBRu’s high performance programme.  This will include the identification and training of athletes and their preparation for international tournaments with a view to building competitive teams at Rio 2016 and beyond.

The President of the Brazilian Rugby Union stated that “Brazil has the ambition to join a selected group comprised of the best rugby teams in the world, as well as to create competitive teams for Rio 2016 and to qualify for a Rugby World Cup.  We are focused on the longer term.  The country has successfully build competitive teams in every collective sport and rugby will not be an exception to the rule.  H igh Performance support is a vital ingredient for success and sustainability.  We are extremely pleased with the Crusaders/CRFU alliance and are eager to learn the key physical, mental, personal and professional skills required to build successful rugby players. ”

Hamish Riach, CEO of the Crusaders and CRFU, said the CBRu has some ambitious goals which the Crusaders and CRFU are excited to be contributing towards.  “We are looking forward to working with the CBRu to help develop its high performance programme.  Its aims to be competitive at Rio 2016 and to make progress towards fielding a Rugby World Cup team in the future are admirable, and we applaud CBRu’s long-term approach.   Helping with the development of high performance rugby in Brazil can only be positive for rugby worldwide.”

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The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition.  CRFU is the province that contributes the majority of players to the Crusaders and has won a record equaling 4 National provincial titles in a row from 2008-2011.  The Crusaders are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles. 

CBRu is the Rugby Union of Brazil, a member of CONSUR and the IRB, as well as affiliated with the Brazilian Olympic Committee.  Currently, CBRu accounts for 10,000 players approximately, 10% of which are women players.  CBRu wish to combine the Brazilian Rugby culture with proven practices and methodologies from the Crusaders/CRFU organisation.