What's in a name? Crusaders ponder change after Christchurch shootings

Canterbury Crusaders players and staff pause during their Captain's Run training session for two minute's silence, a week on from the Christchurch attack, at 11.32am Sydney time, at The Scots College, in Sydney, Australia, March 22, 2019. AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts/via REUTERS

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - For 23 years the name Crusaders was a source of nothing but pride in Christchurch, the uncontroversial identity of a franchise that claims, with some justification, to be the most successful non-national professional rugby team in the world.

The city was changed forever on March 15, however, when 50 people were killed and dozens more injured by a suspected white supremacist in shootings during Friday prayers at two Christchurch mosques.