Crusaders boy band tops iTunes charts

The debut single from a boy band made up of Crusaders rugby players has become an instant hit, topping three iTunes charts in New Zealand.

The C-City Brothers, made up of Andy Ellis, Israel Dagg, Willie Heinz, Telusa Veainu and Robbie Fruean, yesterday released their song Never Walk Away.

The track has landed the boy band the number one selling single on the official iTunes chart. Additionally it is number one on the New Zealand artist chart and the official iTunes dance chart.

The song has proved popular, with more then 45,000 views on YouTube and more than 5000 people joining the band's Facebook page.

All the proceeds from single sales are going to Cystic Fibrosis NZ.

"We are really stoked at the response,'' Ellis said.

"All of us are thrilled at the enthusiasm of the New Zealand public for this song and also for helping raise money for cystic fibrosis.''

Already the band had received invitations to perform, he said.

"We are considering our options at the moment and seriously considering our future.

"We encourage people who have not yet bought the song off iTunes to do so. The more people that buy the song, the more money we can raise for the Cystic Fibrosis Association.''

Ellis said the C-City Brothers were modelling their career on his childhood heroes Westlife and The Backstreet Boys.

"Since I was a little boy I have dreamed of being in a boy band. My inspiration has been bands like the Backstreet Boys and Westlife.''

Op Shop star Jason Kerrison collaborated with Ellis to write Never Walk Away.