Sevu Reece leads OUTRAGEOUS list of all-time Crusaders try scorers

Dylan Coetzee
Split Crusaders Dan Carter, Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece.

Split Crusaders Dan Carter, Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece.

All Blacks wing Sevu Reece scored his 53rd try for the Crusaders in a clash against the Western Force on Saturday taking him to the top of the club’s all-time try-scoring list.

Reece’s impressive achievement inspired us to take a closer look at the legends of the game that make up the Crusaders’ top 10 try scorers.

1 Sevu Reece (53)

The flying All Black’s rise to the top is made that much more remarkable when considering Reece scored his 53 tries in just 67 appearances for the Crusaders which is an incredible strike rate.

At the age of just 27, he has the chance of extending his lead at the top of the pile, but that, of course, is all dependent on whether he chooses to stay at the club or not, with his contract running to a close in 2024.

2 Caleb Ralph (52)

A legend of the Christchurch club and the long-term record holder that stayed strong from when he left the Crusaders in 2009 all the way until Reece surpassed him in 2024.

Ralph notched up an impressive 104 consecutive appearances for the club and formed a key part of a very successful Crusaders side loaded with superstars. He added six tries during his time for the Blues and Chiefs keeping him in the competition’s all-time top 10 try scorers.

=3 Leon MacDonald (42)

The former full-back was a classy operator in his day and managed 42 tries in his 122 outings in the colours of Crusaders over 12 years.

The now All Blacks assistant coach was always a great reader of the game and his prolific nature was particularly on show in the 2008 season where was voted as Sky Sport’s Reunion’s Crusaders MVP for their title-winning season.

=3 Codie Taylor (42)

The only forward on the list and a thoroughbred Crusader. Taylor dominated the hooker space for the Christchurch men for 11 years making over 100 appearances during that time.

The rise of maul tries in recent years certainly helped Taylor’s quest but that takes nothing away from his ability to beat defenders in the tram lines. He will go down as one of the greats in Super Rugby history.

5 Will Jordan (38)

Another active player with a remarkable strike although his 38 tries in 52 caps is not quite the same level as Reece’s.

Still, Jordan has often struck fear in defences since making his debut in 2019 and has been known to flip a game on its head in a moment. One would expect the All Black to continue rising up the list before he moves on from Christchurch.

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6 George Bridge (37)

A master of the high ball and equally proficient in finding his way over the try line as he did on 37 occasions in his 83 appearances for the club before leaving to Montpellier in 2022.

Bridge formed part of a lethal back three during his time in Crusaders colours and notched up his impressive tally whilst being part of a side that won Super Rugby (in various iterations) every year between 2017 and 2022.

7 Dan Carter (36)

A man who barely needs any introduction is one of the greatest players to pick up a rugby ball. It is quite amazing that the fly-half managed 36 tries in his 141 games for the decorated side.

During his time in Crusaders colours, he amassed 1,708 points, which is still a Super Rugby record and could remain that way with only one player in the all-time points top 10 still active in the competition.

8 Marika Vunibaka (35)

A monstrous wing who was an absolute powerhouse during his four years at the club at the beginning of the century becoming the second fastest to 25 tries for the Crusaders.

Vunibaka struck fear into anyone in front of him and his strike rate of 35 tries in 50 games is almost near the levels of Reece.

9 Richie Mo’unga (33)

Like Carter, the All Black needs little introduction, having been the conductor of the Scott Robertson era, where he pulled the strings in seven consecutive titles under the now-New Zealand coach.

For the most part, Mo’unga was the heartbeat of the team, orchestrating beautiful strike plays and controlling games, but that didn’t stop him from attacking defensive lines and scoring 33 tries.

10 David Havili (32)

Mo’unga’s right-hand man during the Robertson era and one with a triple threat skill set of run, kick and pass, making the duo a playmaking powerhouse.

Havili who is still at the club has mostly run out in the 12 shirt for the Crusaders and one would expect him to add to his tally as his career in Christchurch continues.

Crusaders’ leading try scorers in Super Rugby

53 – Sevu Reece*
52 – Caleb Ralph
42 – Leon MacDonald
42 – Codie Taylor*
38 – Will Jordan*
37 – George Bridge
36 – Dan Carter
35 – Marik Vunibaka
33 – Richie Mo’unga
32 – David Havili*

*Still active

READ MORE: Super Rugby: Two All Blacks lead legendary list of all-time try scorers

Crusaders Sevu Reece

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