‘Tough call’: Scotland-eligible halfback Louie Chapman on leaving Crusaders’ ‘dream’ for Edinburgh opportunity
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Halfback Louie Chapman says it was a “tough decision’’ to leave the Crusaders for Edinburgh Rugby, but the chance to test himself overseas and potentially represent his Scottish grandmother’s homeland proved irresistible.
The 25-year-old will farewell New Zealand on a two-year contract after the 2026 NPC campaign for Canterbury, and is eligible for Scotland selection through his grandmother.
He will join Hurricanes midfield back Riley Higgins at Edinburgh. Higgins announced last week he had signed a three-year deal and also qualifies for Scotland via his grandmother.
The pair could follow in the bootprints of first five-eighth Fergus Burke has been capped five times by Scotland after leaving the Crusaders in 2024 to sign for English club Saracens and Tom Jordan, who left Waikato club rugby, qualified for Scotland under the residency rule and has become a Six Nations squad regular.
Chapman admitted on Wednesday that the presence of two All Blacks halfbacks, Noah Hotham and Kyle Preston at the Crusaders, was “a little factor in the decision making” as he weighed up “game-time and opportunities”.
“Those guys are two quality players. It’s not that I shy away from the competition or anything like, but the opportunity to potentially go away, start afresh and have a new challenge and potentially chase a dream was real cool.”
Chapman, who has made five Super Rugby appearances this year, said it had always been his goal to play for the Crusaders, “and to do that has been a dream” for himself and his family.
After he first “had that taste’’ with one game in 2023, he ”wanted more“.
He joined the Crusaders as a contracted player for 2025 and said he had “really loved this year”.
But he is looking forward to linking with Edinburgh and heading to Elgin on the Moray Firth where his Scottish grandma ails from.
“My grandma is a proud Scotswoman. Growing up, I did know about where she was born and what that potentially meant for opportunities abroad.
“I guess that was something I had in the back of my head to kind of explore. And then it kind of came about. You don’t know how long it’s going to be there to take.”
Chapman said he hoped to make his grandmother “and the rest of my family proud”.
He said the move had “been in the works for a couple of months’’, and while he is mindful he qualifies for Scotland under the grandparent rule, he is not looking too far ahead.”
“First things first. The focus is on putting my best foot forward for Edinburgh when I get over there and get stuck in with those lads.”
Chapman could be vying with Edinburgh’s England-born but Scotland-qualified halfback Ben Vellacott and Charlie Shiel for game time.
Chapman is the fourth Crusaders back heading offshore at season’s end alongside All Blacks Braydon Ennor and Sevu Reece who have both signed with French club Perpignan and former All Blacks midfielder Dallas McLeod who will join England’s Exeter Chiefs.
After Higgins’ move was confirmed last week, the Hurricanes’ Scottish head coach Clark Laidlaw said: “These countries are aggressive.They know all the players who are Scottish or Irish qualified and they’re actively trying to recruit, but it’s just part of the professional game, isn’t it?.”
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney said: “Louie is a great team man and someone who gives everything to the environment. He’s been a loyal servant to this club, and he deserves all the opportunities that will come his way in Edinburgh. All of us at the Crusaders wish him nothing but the best for this next stage in his career.”
Born and raised in Canterbury, Chapman was head boy at Christchurch Boys’ High School and represented the NZ Schools Barbarians in 2017 before progressing through the Crusaders Junior Knights and the Crusaders Development squad.
He made his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes in 2023. Chapman also played 40 games for the Tasman Mako and made 11 appearances for Canterbury during their championship-winning 2025 NPC season.
Chapman had an almost three-year wait for his second Crusaders appearance, against the Brumbies in February.
He said he was “looking forward to ripping in one last time” for Canterbury as they seek to defend their NPC title.