Will Jordan playing for the All Blacks (Getty Images)
The Crusaders announced on Tuesday that All Black try-machine Will Jordan will be sidelined for six months due to shoulder surgery, a blow to the defending Super Rugby champions on the eve of the new season.
Jordan, 25, who was the top try scorer at last year's World Cup, will need surgery for a chronic illness and will miss all Super Rugby matches starting this week.
The injury means Jordan will also be running against time until he can play in the 2024 Rugby Championship, which begins in August.
The All Blacks will face the Springboks on August 31 (Johannesburg), then September 7 (Cape Town).
The Crusaders, under new head coach Rob Penney, will begin their bid for an eighth consecutive Super Rugby title, a repeat of last year's Super Rugby final, on Friday when they face Waikato Chiefs away in Hamilton.
“It's tough for any team to lose a world-class player like Will Jordan,” Penny said.
“He will be sorely missed.”
In a statement, the Crusaders said Jordan was expected to return within “approximately six months”, with the flying winger, who can also play full-back, expected to miss New Zealand's games against England and Fiji in July. announced that it was being watched.
The prolific Jordan has scored 31 tries in as many Tests as New Zealand, and eight touchdowns at France 2023, including a hat-trick in the semi-final win over Argentina.
New Zealand lost to South Africa 12-11 in the World Cup final.
This is the second major injury for the Christchurch-based Crusaders. They lost British and Irish Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny to a torn pectoral muscle for up to four months.
The season opener in Hamilton will be Penney's first game since taking over from Scott Robertson, who stepped down as All Blacks coach after leading the Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles since 2017.