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Will Jordan ruled of 2024 Super Rugby Pacific

Will Jordan of New Zealand reacts during the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

All Blacks outside back Will Jordan will miss the entirety of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the team announced on Tuesday morning.

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The team revealed it was a pre-existing shoulder injury that would require surgery, and as a result see the prolific try-scorer sidelined for six months.

With the season’s start just days away, the Crusaders lose an MVP candidate and a second international fullback, after the chest injury Leigh Halfpenny sustained just minutes into his Crusaders career against Munster.

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Reports last week suggested the Crusaders’ medical team were weighing up the options for their star fullback, with an update expected before the season’s start. Tuesday’s confirmation will have a significant influence over the team’s campaign.

Jordan did miss a large piece of the 2023 season with an inner ear issue causing migraines, with first five-eighth Fergus Burke assuming a backfield role in the All Black’s absence.

This year however, Burke was slated to inherit the keys to the Crusaders’ attack after the departure of Richie Mo’unga. Even that would have to wait until at least round seven though, when Burke is set to return from an injury of his own.

Chay Fihaki remains as the team’s most experienced fullback – outside of David Havili, who is unlikely to be removed from the midfield – while there’s also potential for Tasman flyer Macca Springer to be thrown in the 15 jersey while Jordan is out.

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New Crusaders coach Rob Penney has previously expressed his keenness to play players in their natural positions, having ruled out any potential of Havili or Halfpenny covering first five-eighth while Burke is sidelined.

Jordan’s timeline now sees him potentially returning to full health in August, after the All Blacks’ two-Test series against England and their American Test against Fiji.

The Rugby Championship kicks off on August 10, with New Zealand opening their campaign against Argentina in Wellington.

Unfortunately for Crusaders fans, Jordan isn’t the only All Black reportedly set to miss time in the coming season, either. The injury-plagued Ethan Blackadder is unlikely to feature in at least the opening game of the season against the Chiefs on Friday, with the loose forward suffering another calf injury.

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Comments

2 Comments
R
Rugby 259 days ago

little peca pecos, where is gobbler Graham
only a can’terbury fan can see the positive in a long term timeout thru surgery.

Maybe he can get his ear fixed at the same time.

P
Pecos 259 days ago

Good call to do the surgery. I want to see WJ pumping for the NH end of year tour. SRP will take care of itself.

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Nickers 23 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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