Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific defending champion the Crusaders have suffered a huge blow ahead of their 2024 campaign after star outside back Will Jordan has been ruled out for the season due to injury.
The bad news came in just a few days away from their first 2024 Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Chiefs this week.
The All Blacks winger has recently been under conservative management due to a pre-existing shoulder injury from the 2023 season.
In a statement, the team says after assessment from their medical team, Jordan will undergo surgery and as a result be unavailable for selection for this season.
They say the 25-year-old is expected to be fit to return to play in approximately six months, which also means he is set to miss the All Blacks July test matches against England and Fiji and possibly the first half of the Rugby Championship, which runs in July, August and September.
Jordan starred at last year's World Cup, where the All Blacks finished runners-up, scoring a record-equalling eight tries, the most in a single men's World Cup.
The Crusaders will play the Chiefs at 6.05pm this Friday in Hamilton in their Super Rugby Pacific round 1 match.
Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will be hosted in Auckland by the Blues at 3.35pm this Saturday.
In other round 1 matches this week, the Rebels will play the Brumbies at 8.35pm Friday, the Force will take on the Hurricanes at 11pm Friday, the Highlanders will host the Moana Pasifika at 6.05pm Saturday, and the Reds will take on the Waratahs at 9.05pm Saturday.
