Huge blow for Crusaders as All Blacks star Will Jordan ruled out of Super Rugby with injury

Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Will Jordan is tackled by Tupou Vaa’i during the Crusaders v Chiefs clash.

ANALYSIS: Will Jordan’s wretched run with a Super Rugby season-ending injury is a hammer blow to the Crusaders’ title defence hopes on top of uncertainty over All Blacks captain Scott Barrett’s return.

Jordan was ruled out on Tuesday for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season, after sustaining a calf injury last week.

The All Blacks fullback, only just back from a calf injury that sidelined him for six weeks, missed the final 10 minutes of the Crusaders’ 36-32 victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.

The Crusaders confirmed on Tuesday the injury would sideline Jordan for between 4-6 weeks, “ruling him out for the remainder of Super Rugby Pacific”.

With the All Blacks kicking off the Dave Rennie era against France in Christchurch on July 4, Jordan will potentially also miss the first test of the year.

If he still is sidelined that would mean Jordan - so keen to perform at One New Zealand Stadium - may only have 70 minutes’ experience at Christchurch’s new venue this year.

Jordan is the jewel in the Crusaders’ crown, but suddenly the 15-time Super Rugby champions have to find a way to win without him.

Coach Rob Penney was also still unsure last weekend of Barrett’s availability for the business end of the campaign after back issues following his start-of-season sabbatical.

Still, Penney has become accustomed to not having Jordan this season.

The Chiefs game was only his seventh of the season and, uncharacteristically for a player who often tops the scoring charts, he has scored just two tries in 2026.

Crusaders fullback Johnny McNicholl, pictured flicking a pass against the Hurricanes in Wellington, is set to play them again with Will Jordan ruled out.

The Crusaders lost to the Blues in March with Jordan away at a family meeting and lost three of the four games he missed during his first calf injury absence.

Johnny McNicholl has deputised for Jordan at fullback while Jordan has been out.

The former Wales international showed he still has some toe at 35 with two tries off the bench against the Chiefs, but no-one in New Zealand rugby has Jordan’s penetration and pace.

He will be missed, undoubtedly, as the Crusaders host the ladder-leading Hurricanes on Friday, hoping to clinch third place and host a qualifying final.

Chiefs star Damian McKenzie tries to break a tackle against the Highlanders.

Rennie will be equally anxious to monitor Jordan’s rehab.

The Crusaders icon was an inked-in starter for the France game - either at fullback or the right wing.

If he still isn’t fit then it will make Rennie and attack coach Mike Blair re-think their backline mix.

Damian McKenzie - currently out with concussion - could start at fullback, providing either Beauden Barrett or Ruben Love get the nod at first five-eighth.

Barrett and brother Jordie also have test experience at No 15.

But Rennie will have the big picture in mind. The new Nations Championship games against France, Italy and Ireland are important, but getting Jordan right for the tour to South Africa will be the ultimate aim.

Jordan’s injury setback is the latest to keep Crusaders’ medics busy.

Lock Tahlor Cahill and former All Blacks midfielder Braydon Ennor have been out with hamstring injuries and prop Finlay Brewis has been nursing a calf niggle.

All Blacks hooker George Bell also has a calf problem. His return was estimated to be three to four weeks away before the Chiefs game.