Crusaders come clean over damage to Super Rugby Aotearoa trophy after initially denying it

The Crusaders have come clean over damage to the Super Rugby Aotearoa trophy, following celebrations from their title-clinching win over the Highlanders.

Photos of Super Rugby Aotearoa trophy show the green-stone missing and with chips and dents in its base.

TVNZ News reports the photos were taken 24 hours after the victory.

They claim a message was then sent out to everyone in the club to search for the missing green-stone, which has since been found.

The Crusaders had initially denied any wrongdoing, but Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge now says it was accidentally dropped, incurring some minor damage.

Mansbridge says they have notified New Zealand Rugby and sought cultural advice and repairs will be made as soon as possible.

The Crusaders will take on the Blues at 3.35pm Sunday while the Hurricanes will face the Chiefs at 7.05pm Saturday.