Noah Hotham

Sharp-thinking and quick to the breakdown, Noah Hotham has emerged as one of the bright young halfbacks in New Zealand's professional ranks. Born on 23 May 2003, the Crusaders number nine is known for a crisp service, an astute tactical kicking game and the tempo he brings to a side built on relentless standards. Having earned his Super Rugby opportunity with the Crusaders, he has shown the composure and energy to influence matches both from the start and when introduced from the bench, accelerating the game and applying pressure to opposition defences. As a scrum-half his job is to dictate the rhythm of the attack and keep the forward pack moving forward, and Hotham's decision-making under pressure marks him as a genuine prospect for the franchise. With continued game time, he is well placed to develop into a key figure in the Crusaders' spine and to press his claims at the higher levels of the New Zealand game.