The Crusaders have been dealt a severe blow ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs with star fullback Will Jordan ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a calf injury.
The 28-year-old All Blacks star reaggravated a calf injury in his first game back from a six-week stint on the sidelines during the Crusaders’ dramatic 36-32 win over the Chiefs on Friday.
While there was hope it wasn’t serious, the Crusaders say Jordan is expected to miss four to six weeks, which would also put him squarely in doubt for the All Blacks’ opening tests of the Nations Championship in early July.
A post to the Crusaders’ social media channels was captioned “2026 has come to an end for Will Jordan”.
It is a huge loss for the Crusaders, as they attempt to defend their Super Rugby Pacific title.
They currently sit fourth in the standings and must beat the Hurricanes in their final regular-season match and hope the Blues lose to the Chiefs to secure a home finals match in the first round.
The Crusaders will name their team to face the Hurricanes at 4pm on Wednesday.
While it’s a blow for the Crusaders, it also means Jordan will be in a race against time to feature in Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad when they face France in Christchurch on July 4.
Along with France, New Zealand also face Italy and Ireland in July.
Jordan is currently in a neck-and-neck battle with Beauden Barrett to become the All Blacks’ record tryscorer.
Jordan has 45 while Barrett is on 46. Doug Howlett currently holds the record for the most in a black jersey with 49.
Rennie will name his first squad for July’s test series in mid-June.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
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