Gisborne links at Crusaders

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Another Gisborne product, Fergus Burke, has appeared in Super Rugby debuting for the Crusaders against the Sunwolves in Brisbane on Saturday.

Burke, a first five-eighth, came on late in the game and kicked two conversions and scored a last-minute try in the 49-14 win by the defending champions.

Burke had an embarrassing moment when he dropped a pass behind the goal line, but scored his try only about 90 seconds later in the last movement of the game.

Burke played football when he lived in Gisborne and was spotted by Crusader scouts when he played first-five for the Hamilton-based St Paul's Collegiate first 15.

He has since played for Canterbury, the Crusaders Academy and for New Zealand at last year's under-20 world cup in Argentina.

Burke was in the match 23 for Saturday's game as All Black first-five Richie Mo'unga was being rested.

With regular fullback David Havili recovering from surgery, another Gisborne product, All Black George Bridge, took the No.15 jersey.

And No.8 Whetu Douglas, educated at Gisborne Boys' High School, also appeared for the Crusaders after returning from injury.