Over time, "the Naki" will probably go the way of Mt Egmont and slowly disappear from everyday speech. The Canterbury Crusaders, as they were originally known, were named 23 years ago in more innocent times, before 9/11 and the Christchurch mosque attacks. Nearly three weeks after the massacre, New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders announced that an independent research company will seek feedback and offer recommendations on the team's name and branding. Either way, New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew agreed that some Crusaders symbolism is no longer "tenable". A name change gives us the perfect opportunity to be the world leaders and better selves we hoped to be after the horror of the mosque attacks.

Source: Stuff April 04, 2019 03:56 UTC