New Zealand’s most decorated Super Rugby side the Crusaders are considering a name change following last week’s mosque shootings in Christchurch that killed 50 people.
The country’s Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson said that he is aware conversations are taking place between the club and the city’s Muslim community and that such actions are “appropriate.”
“Clearly this is a big issue in Canterbury. The Crusaders is a well-established name and brand. I think it’s a responsible action to undertake those conversations now,” Robertson told reporters on Tuesday.
The nine-time Super Rugby champions – the club competition that features teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan – adopted the name 23 years ago.
The attacks that took place last week, however, that saw a 28-year-old Australian gunman open fire at two mosques in Christchurch, have put the team’s brand under the spotlight due to the Medieval religious wars between Christians and Muslims.
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