If you didn’t catch the Super Rugby Final over the weekend, the Crusaders took out their 15th title with a strong win over the Chiefs in Christchurch.
But before the action even kicked off, it was a young fella named Kauri who stole the spotlight.
Kauri was selected for More FM’s ‘Live Like a Crusader’, which meant he was chosen to take on the big job of running the match ball out alongside the team for the Grand Final match.
The special moment was shared at Woodend Rugby Club, where Kauri’s dad gathered his son’s teammates to break the news.
“Earlier in the week, I entered Kauri into a competition to be the ball runner for the Crusaders game this weekend,” he said. “I showed him the video and said, ‘Would you be up for this?’ and he was fizzing at the idea.”
“To set expectations, I told him, ‘Mate, there are some awesome competitors, so you might not win.’”
But in a sweet and emotional twist, dad revealed: “I’m excited to say Kauri’s been chosen to run the ball out for the Crusaders at the Super Rugby Grand Final!”
Kauri’s reaction said it all - his arms in the air, then head in hands, as his teammates surrounded him and supported his “happy tears”.
Kauri ready to run the ball out at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch.
Photo | Georgia Watt
The moment quickly gained traction online, with over 200k people watching the emotional moment.
One TikTok user commented: “How cool are his boys supporting his 'happy tears'? Too good boys.”
Another wrote: “Awesome... Good to see his mates that missed out still backing him. Outstanding young men.”
Even the Crusaders commented on Instagram, saying: “This is everything 🥹”, while Super Rugby Pacific added: “This is what it’s all about. See you at the game.”
Kauri nailed the job on the night, running out alongside Crusaders captain David Havili.
Afterwards, his parents said: “Kauri is feeling so blessed to now know what it truly feels like to be a Crusader - it’s made him even more determined to become one someday.”
