The Crusaders have unveiled a new logo, but the name will remain the same.

Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

Questions were raised about the appropriateness of the Crusaders name because of its reference to the religious wars between the Muslims and Christians in the Middle Ages.

The new logo - which will be used by the Crusaders for branding purposes from now, and will debut on the jerseys in the 2021 season - depicts a red and black Tohu design above the familiar Crusaders name.

Photo: Supplied / Crusaders

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge said the new logo captured Canterbury's diverse and multi-cultural background.

He said the team were sticking with the Crusaders name, because no other name represented the club's commitment to crusading for each other.