Christchurch, New Zealand, May 23, 2026 (AFP) -The Canterbury Crusaders are worried their Test fullback Will Jordan has been dealt a second injury blow after limping off during their momentous Super Rugby win over the Waikato Chiefs.
Jordan was among a host of standout performers for the defending champions in the 36-32 victory on Friday night, only going ahead in the dying minutes through a try to captain David Havili.
It was the second-placed Chiefs´ first defeat in more than two months while the fourth-placed Crusaders ensured they would qualify for the play-offs, regardless of results in next week´s final round.
However, they could be without star All Blacks back Jordan for the knockout phase. Coach Rob Penney said the 28-year-old´s status was “yet to be determined” but there were initial concerns he had re-strained a calf problem which had sidelined him for the previous six weeks.
“We won´t be the only group who have injuries to key men but Will´s so influential for us,” Penney told reporters.
“We´ve got our fingers and toes and everything else crossed that the outcome for Will this week is really positive. “He´s such a great professional, he´ll do everything he can to be right.”
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie will also closely monitor the progress of Jordan, who is a strong candidate to start in New Zealand´s first Test of the year, against France in Christchurch on July 4. The Crusaders could qualify as high as third if they win next week´s match against the league-leading Wellington Hurricanes.
The Chiefs are guaranteed to finish at least second, regardless of their result next week against the third-ranked Auckland Blues.
Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes is unsure if key playmaker Damian McKenzie will return against the Blues, after missing the Christchurch match as part of concussion stand-down protocols.
It was a third successive loss to the Crusaders for Gibbes´s team, comprising both matches this season and last year´s grand final.
