10:44pm, 14 May 2019

All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue headlines a trio of re-signings made by the Crusaders for the 2020 Super Rugby campaign.

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Goodhue joins lock Mitchell Dunshea and flanker Billy Harmon in re-committing to the franchise for next season, taking the number of confirmed players for next year for the back-to-back reigning champions to 14.

23-year-old Goodhue made his debut for the All Blacks last year, and has been capped seven times internationally, while also having made 37 appearances for the Crusaders since his debut for the club in 2017.

The capture of his signature will be a significant gain for the Crusaders, who will be without six All Blacks named in this year’s squad, including vice-captain and fellow midfielder Ryan Crotty, who will join Kubota Spears in the Japanese Top League in 2020.

Other All Blacks set to leave Christchurch include Owen Franks (Northampton), captain Sam Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights), Jordan Taufua (Leicester), Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz), and Israel Dagg (retired).

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has already begun preparing for life without Crotty, naming Goodhue as one of two vice-captains for their clash against the Sharks two weeks ago.

Goodhue’s debut campaign in 2017 was also Dunshea’s first season in Super Rugby, although the 23-year-old lock only had three caps to his name coming into 2019.

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However, an impressive showing against the Bulls in Pretoria last week will have bolstered his credentials within the Crusaders set-up as he capitalised on the absence of Whitelock (parental leave) and Quentin Strange (foot injury).

Without Whitelock in the selection frame for next year, Dunshea’s chances of playing more regularly for the competition leaders will be increased.

Harmon was first named in the Crusaders last year following a string of admirable campaigns in the Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury, and after featuring three times this year, he could be another that benefits from the absence of an All Black, with fellow openside flanker Matt Todd is yet to announce his playing future beyond 2019.

Goodhue, Dunshea and Harmon join 11 other players to re-commit their services to the Crusaders next year, including Codie Taylor, Richie Mo’unga, Scott Barrett, Joe Moody, George Bridge, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Michael Alaalatoa, Whetu Douglas, Ethan Blackadder and Oliver Jager.

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More re-signings are expected to follow, including that of superstar rookie wing Sevu Reece.

The Crsuaders are set to finish their tour of South Africa this weekend when they face the Stormers in Cape Town.

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