All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders, putting pen to paper on a new deal through until the end of 2025.
Blackadder, 28, burst onto the scene for Ian Foster's side in 2021 with nine test appearances but missed most of last year with a shoulder injury at the end of the Crusaders' round-robin campaign.
And while injuries have impacted his time on the field since, Blackadder's importance to the Crusaders has become clearer and clearer for the reigning Super Rugby champions.
"Ethan represents everything that the Crusaders are," said coach Scott Robertson.
"He's strong, he's humble, he's a team player, and he shows a lot of care for his club and his teammates.
"To have him locked in here until 2025 is huge for both club and country."
Blackadder is the second All Black to re-sign on Tuesday after Anton Lienert-Brown committed until the end of 2026.
Since his debut in 2018, Blackadder has won five titles with the Crusaders, making 36 appearances and scoring seven tries for the Christchurch-based side.
Blackadder is currently sidelined with a calf injury, suffered in the Crusaders' victory over the Brumbies in week five of Super Rugby Pacific.
However, the Crusaders have confirmed to Newshub that Blackadder has resumed training, and is expected to return to action before the end of the regular season.
