Super news for Noah Hotham
<b>Noah Hotham in action for Tasman in the Ranfurly Shield loss to Taranaki last season. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.</b>
He might be injured, but Tasman Mako halfback Noah Hotham has something to celebrate this week.
The 21-year-old has been resigned by the Crusaders until 2027.
He moved to Christchurch, from Hamilton on a three year deal in 2023 and the one test All Black is thrilled his contract has been extended.
The Hamilton College star had previously shifted to Nelson in 2021 and was named in the Tasman Mako squad as a development player for their provincial campaign.
He made his debut for Tasman against Bay of Plenty at Trafalgar Park in a non competition match, coming off the bench in a 26–9 win for the Mako.
He played his first official game in the final of the competition against Waikato in his hometown of Hamilton, with Tasman losing 23–20.
A high ankle sprain has forced Noah Hotham out of the Crusaders side for this week’s match against the Chiefs and maybe longer.
He only lasted nine minutes before limping off in the season-opener with the Hurricanes.
His replacement Kyle Preston, who proved a super sub with three tries, will start on Friday night in Hamilton.
The vastly experienced Nelson-born Mitchell Drummond has come on to the bench, otherwise it is an unchanged XV from last week.
Last year the sides split their two games but significantly the Crusaders snapped their horror five game losing streak by beating the Chiefs 37-26 in Christchurch.