Will Jordan highly unlikely for Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific clash with Hurricanes at One NZ Stadium

Monday, 25 May 2026

Injured fullback Will Jordan didn’t join his Crusaders team-mates on the training field in Christchurch on Monday.

No surprises there.

The calf muscle problem which forced Jordan to retire hurt during their 36-32 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch last Friday night resulted in one of the Crusaders' most valuable players being kept off the grass at the club’s training base at Rugby Park on Monday.

While Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar chose his words carefully on the subject of Jordan, it was what he didn’t say that may have been music to the ears of the team's next adversary, the Hurricanes.

Mooar gave no guarantee that Jordan, who has previously been sidelined for six weeks with a calf injury, will be available for the Crusaders' final round-robin game in Super Rugby Pacific in Christchurch on Friday evening.

“Will obviously came back from his calf injury, a long process to get him back on the deck, which he worked really well for, along with the staff,” Mooar said.

“He came off the field, it's all about protecting him, post coming back from that. So, not seen here today. We will get more clarity on that as the days go on, as to where he sits.

“He was walking around this morning with us, you just didn't see him out on the park.”

If Jordan is scratched from the match against the Hurricanes, the Crusaders will be forced to leave one of their most deadly attackers in the stands at One NZ Stadium.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie and his fellow selectors will also be monitoring the situation. Although the All Blacks won't play their Nations Championship tests against France, Italy and Ireland until July, injuries to key players at this time of the season have the potential to cause anxiety for all parties.

Soft tissue injuries can take weeks to heal, as Jordan discovered recently.

“I don't think re-aggravating it,” Mooar said when asked if the latest setback was related to Jordan's previous calf muscle problem.

“With a muscle scenario, there's no doubt that after a long lay-off, you can stress that or stress other parts of it. So that's just part of his recovery … What today looks like, is best for him with that, in general.”

Although the six teams for the playoffs have been decided, the fourth-placed Crusaders have the incentive of leapfrogging the third-placed Blues.

Finishing third behind the Hurricanes (55 points) and Chiefs (46), who have secured the first and second spots respectively, would secure the Blues (38) or Crusaders (36) a home qualifying final on the first weekend of June.

If the Blues beat the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night, they’ll secure a home game at Eden Park in Auckland.

Lose, and they’ll need the Crusaders to fall to the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday, and the Brumbies (33) to fail to record a huge win over the luckless Moana Pasifika on Saturday afternoon.

The Crusaders will be desperate not to put Jordan at risk ahead of the playoffs.

Although Jordan didn't play to his potential during the win over the Chiefs, he provided glimpses of his power-running game.

Mooar said the Crusaders were concentrating on beating the Hurricanes, rather than dwelling on the ramifications of what a win could mean for them on the points table.

“It hasn't been discussed, at all, as a group,” Mooar said. “Not to say people wouldn't be aware of it. But the focus is absolutely on performance.”

If Jordan is scratched, Johnny McNicholl may be promoted from the reserves bench to start at fullback.

Meanwhile, Hurricanes midfield back Riley Higgins has played his last game in New Zealand before joining the Edinburgh club later this year.

Higgins underwent shoulder surgery, the Hurricanes said, and will be sidelined for six months.

“He’s had a tough couple of years with injuries, so to pick up another injury is super disappointing for him. We’ve been able to support him through this period before he takes off and help him with the initial part of his rehab,” Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“We feel for him and wish him well with his recovery as he prepares to head offshore.”