Tyler D.

The Proven Path to Professional Rugby

Position: Lock | Height: 2m (6'7") | Weight: 126kg (278 lbs)Crusaders Global Academy (CGA) Residency: 2018

The Crusaders Global Academy (CGA) Player Residency is designed to accelerate talent, providing the high-performance foundations necessary to compete on the world stage. Tyler Duguid’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of immersing yourself in the Crusaders championship environment.

Tyler, a towering 2-metre, 126kg second-rower of Canadian descent, is set to make his international test debut for France tomorrow—a dream matchup against the legendary All Blacks. While the world sees the powerhouse professional athlete of today, the CGA team remembers the determined university player who arrived in Christchurch for the Player Residency (often referred to internally as the Crusaders International Academy, or CIA) in 2018.

The Residency: Building a Professional Foundation

During his time at Rugby Park in Christchurch, Tyler was immersed in the "Crusaders Way." The multi-month residency provided him with the necessary structure to transition from student-athlete to professional prospect:

• Position-Specific Mastery: Tyler received dedicated, high-intensity coaching focused on the tactical and technical demands of the Lock position, refining his lineout expertise and power management alongside Crusaders staff.
• Competitive Immersion: As part of the program, Tyler was connected with the local club competition, playing Colts for New Brighton. This crucial competitive experience provided weekly, high-stakes exposure to the New Zealand rugby environment.
• Physical Conditioning: The rigorous, individualized Strength & Conditioning (S&C) schedule was tailored to enhance his already impressive 126kg frame, ensuring he was conditioned not just for collegiate rugby, but for a professional workload.

The Accelerated Pathway

Tyler’s experience at CGA provided the final, vital layer of polish and performance literacy. Following his residency in 2018, Tyler returned to his Canadian University competition. He carried with him the professional standards, high rugby I.Q., and technical mastery gained in Christchurch.

In 2019, French scouts, recognizing his newly polished high-performance attributes, spotted his talent. The foundation built at CGA in the prior year directly contributed to him being identified and subsequently signing a professional contract with the elite Montpellier club in France.

Today, Tyler Duguid is a French International, preparing to face the All Blacks. His story proves that a successful professional career is not just about raw talent—it's about choosing the right environment for accelerated development.

Your Legacy Starts Here

Tyler Duguid’s professional journey was fast-tracked by the unique cultural and coaching environment of the Crusaders Global Academy Player Residency. If you are serious about transforming your game, being spotted by international scouts, and playing at the highest level, the time to commit is now.

Take the next step and define your own professional future by signing up for the CGA Player Residency.

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