Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge has revealed today that they have had conversations with the Muslim community about a possible name and brand change following the March 15 Christchurch terrorist attack.
After the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch which left 50 people dead, the Crusaders Super Rugby name has raised concerns with some members of the public with its links to the religious crusades.
Mansbridge told media this afternoon that they have consulted Muslim leaders within the community, but said that it was clear they were not comfortable in being part of the conversation.
"We can't talk about it and the reason we can't I think one thing about how the community reacted to this, is that we have seen some really good news stories," said Mansbridge.
"And we have seen the way our Muslim leaders, Muslim people have conducted themselves in the public and at both events and things like that.
"That's not everybody, not everybody behaves in that way and we don't think it is fair to put that [Muslim] community under pressure."
Mansbridge said it isn't fair to name Muslim members approached about the possible name change.
"Frankly they are too polite to say how they feel and so we are not going to put them under the pressure, that's a decision for us and New Zealand Rugby to make," Mansbridge said.
"We actually are really nervous about inciting the wrong behaviour from our community.
"It's pretty obvious from my interactions that they didn't want to be put in that position."
The team has now engaged consultants to oversee possible changes.
"We are asking Research First to look into two possible options moving forward - retaining the 'Crusaders' name but changing the branding and associated imagery; or undertaking a complete rebranding, including the name and all imagery," NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew said in a statement.
"Maintaining the status quo in terms of the Crusaders name along with the current imagery of knights on horseback is, in our view, no longer tenable because of the association with the religious Crusades that has now been drawn. That is therefore not one of the options that we will be considering."
Any changes will be introduced in time for next season, and the team is dropping the horses and horsemen entertainment for the rest of the current season.
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