The Crusaders will head into a key phase of their Super Rugby campaign without two of their biggest names.
Coach Rob Penney confirmed on Wednesday that All Blacks duo Will Jordan and Codie Taylor will miss Saturday’s clash with the Reds through injury.
Jordan has been ruled out with a calf problem, while Taylor is sidelined with a hamstring strain. No timeline has been given for their return.
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Penney admitted the timing was far from ideal with the Crusaders entering what he described as a decisive period in their season.
“He tried to get going, but it just wasn’t worth pushing him,” Penney said of Jordan.
“He’s had a big workload and this is just an unfortunate set of circumstances.”
Taylor’s absence comes just days after a standout performance in the Crusaders’ 69-26 win over the Fijian Drua – a match in which the hooker crossed for four tries in the final fixture played at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Despite the setbacks, Penney believes his side is well placed to navigate the challenge.
“The next couple of weeks are massively important,” he said.
“We’ve got a really good plan. We’ve just got to get some results and keep building.”
ALSO: All Blacks bruiser returns to New Zealand
Johnny McNicholl comes into the starting line-up in place of Jordan, while David Havili returns to the side.
– AFP
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
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The Crusaders will head into a key phase of their Super Rugby campaign without two of their biggest names.
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