Canterbury side deserves name honouring strengths. Photo / Photosport
Editorial
EDITORIAL:
Canterbury has had more than its share of misfortune in recent years. A prolonged earthquake sequence and now an act of terror against an immigrant community. Through all the seismic upheaval the region's magnificent rugby teams have been a constant, reassuring representation of Canterbury's strength and pride.
Now one
of them is under pressure to change its name as a gesture of sensitivity to the community shaken by a cowardly attack on people at prayer. The Crusaders Super Rugby franchise is taking the request seriously, stopping the pre-match parades of "knights" on horses and reviewing other elements of its branding. It might indeed change its name.
Should it?
Certainly. If the city's Muslim community is not offended by the name it can never include them. No provincial rugby team would deliberately alienate any section of its community with its brand and the Crusaders did not intend to. But now that they know it does they should get rid of it.
