Canterbury Crusaders will receive a New Zealand Rugby Union bailout to ease the financial blow suffered in the Christchurch earthquake, reports say.

While the Crusaders’ match at Twickenham on Sunday was an on-field success, the New Zealand club says it was not the financial lifeline it hoped for.

The Crusaders on Thursday denied a claim by a former All Black that they have a policy of limiting the number of non-white players in their squad.