Chay Fihaki has committed his future to the Crusaders, signing a new contract that will keep the outside back at the Christchurch franchise through to 2028. The extended deal, announced on Wednesday, cements the Crusaders’ hold on one of their home-grown attacking options and comes as Fihaki celebrates a series of milestones for both club and province.
Fihaki, who traces his family roots to Nakasaleka in Kadavu, said re-signing was an easy decision. “I didn’t think twice about re-signing. This club has given me so much already and I’m stoked to lock in my future here,” he said, adding that the support of teammates, coaches and management made the Crusaders a “special place” for him and his family. The new contract follows a string of strong seasons that have pushed him into regular selection across Super Rugby Pacific and provincial rugby.
The 24-year-old (age not specified in the club release) first joined the Crusaders Academy in 2019 and that same year was selected for the New Zealand Under-20 team, signalling his arrival on the international pathway. He made his Super Rugby debut in 2021, earning the honour of Crusader number 246, and has since become a consistent presence in the squad — recently reaching his 50th cap for the Crusaders. At provincial level he has also been a mainstay for Canterbury, reaching a milestone 50 appearances in 2024 and having been named Canterbury’s First Year Player of the Year following his debut season in 2020.
Fihaki’s club form has also opened doors on representative platforms. He was chosen for the Barbarians’ side that played Fiji in June and later represented the All Blacks XV in November, experiences that underline his growing profile beyond the Crusaders set-up. The combination of his attacking threat, versatility in the back three and steady availability has made him an attractive long-term signing for a team that prizes continuity.
The extension updates earlier reports that linked Fihaki to a shorter-term deal to 2026; the new agreement pushes that timeline out two extra seasons and gives the Crusaders greater certainty over their outside-back options as they plan their playing list beyond the immediate campaign. For a franchise that has built sustained success on a mix of academy talent and seasoned performers, locking in a player who has come through the pathway reinforces that model.
Fihaki’s new deal arrives ahead of a busy Super Rugby weekend for Pacific teams and players with ties to Fiji. The Crusaders host Moana Pasifika in round six of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday at 6.05pm, while the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Reds at Churchill Park in Lautoka earlier that afternoon at 3.35pm — a match to be broadcast live on FBC Sports. For Fihaki and his extended Crusaders family, the contract announcement marks the end of one chapter and the start of another as he continues to build his legacy in Christchurch while proudly carrying his Fijian heritage.
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