Crusaders hit with injury concern after Will Jordan's withdrawal from Highlanders clash
The Crusaders are waiting on the return of scan results before they know the full extent of the injury that forced All Blacks star Will Jordan out of Friday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Highlanders.
Jordan was named to start at fullback in the 2021 season-opener at Forsyth Barr Stadium, but was a late withdrawal from the match day side due to a rib injury.
The 23-year-old was replaced by rookie Chay Fihaki in the No. 15 jersey, while Glasgow-bound speedster Josh McKay filled the vacant spot on the bench.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said he wasn’t sure how long Jordan would be sidelined for, although more information on the two-test All Black’s fitness will be available early next week.
“We’ll know more Monday, but hopefully this weekend, at this stage, the scans will all clear and stuff. It’s just a pain thing for him,” Robertson said.
Jordan joins the likes of George Bridge (chest), Braydon Ennor (knee), David Havili (concussion), Andrew Makalio (neck), Oli Jager (ankle) and Manasa Mataele (chest) in a growing list of injured Crusaders players.
Fihaki impressed Robertson after coming into the starting side at short-notice. The Crusaders boss said the experience of playing his first Super Rugby match would serve the 20-year-old well moving forward.
“A couple of late changes. Great for Chay Fihaki. He’s a real talent, he’ll be better for tonight,” Robertson said.
The youngster wasn’t the only Crusader who stood out in Dunedin, as some of the franchise’s big-name players caught the eye of Robertson throughout his side’s 26-13 victory.
One of those players was hooker Codie Taylor, who scored a scintillating 40 metre try after bursting through the Highlanders’ defensive line early in the first half.
Playing a total of 68 minutes, the 29-year-old also bagged himself a try assist, won three turnovers, was faultless with his lineout throwing and made 11 of his 12 tackle attempts to play an influential role in the Crusaders’ victory.
Given All Blacks players are expected to receive limited minutes during the early stages of the Super Rugby season, it was surprising to see Taylor on the field for as long as he was.
However, with the match hanging in the balance up until the final 10 minutes, Robertson opted to keep his star man on the park.
Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has vented his frustration at the lack of punishment dished out for repeated infringements after his side lost to the Crusaders on Friday. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/xAPBdxUqlI
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“He was pretty special – that line break and his throwing, everything,” Robertson said.
“If we had scored earlier and Richie [Mo’unga] had got that penalty, we’d probably have taken two or three young guys off [the bench], put Brodie [McAlister] and Fletcher Newell, that was on debut, a chance to go.
“But, just the context of the match, we ran the guys with experience out and, in the next few weeks, we’ll look to manage their minutes better.”
Similarly as impressive was Sevu Reece, who also scored and set up a try and posted some admirable attacking figures, such as 89 running metres and four defenders beaten.
It was the 23-year-old’s work rate without the ball in hand, though, that Robertson was especially proud of, although he made special mention of Reece’s spectacular diving effort to score in the second half.
“Wow, his work off the ball was incredible, his running metres will be off the charts, his precision and finishing… That’s a world-class finish in the corner,” Robertson said.
“He’s pretty unique. He left his mark out there tonight.”
The All Blacks are set to face hosts France in the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.https://t.co/Rxpuw75A3b
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Despite his side’s defeat, Highlanders head coach Tony Brown was equally as happy with some of his players, particularly those who came off the bench.
Featuring the likes of Josh Ioane, Liam Squire and Folau Fakatava, the Highlanders’ reserves offered plenty of firepower upon their inductions into the match.
“I thought the guys coming off the bench did a good job,” Brown said.
“I think it was great to see Liam Squire out there. I think Hugh Renton had a massive impact on the game. Connor Garden-Bachop, obviously playing his first game for the Highlanders, was outstanding.
“Lots of good performances, we’ve just got to be 10 percent better to beat those guys.”
Brown added his side are capable of performing that little bit better, but need to add a cutting edge to their game to emerge victorious in tightly fought matches.
“I don’t believe we’re far away at all. Everything was there, we’ve just got to be really ruthless when we get those opportunities.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments