Sevu Reece’s World Cup dream is over – an ACL knee injury which requires surgery will rule the All Blacks wing out for the rest of the year.
The extent of Reece’s injury – caused by an awkward cleanout by Rieko Ioane during the Crusaders’ victory over the Blues at Eden Park recently – was revealed today by coach Scott Robertson.
“It’s a hard one for him and the whole club,” Robertson said. “He’s so important for us and we really feel for him. A lot of hard work will get him back to where he was before – a world class wing.”
Reece, who has played 23 Tests and has impressed during his international career with his pace and anticipation, is the first high-profile All Black to be ruled out of this year's global tournament which kicks off in Paris in September.
Another Crusaders player, prop Fletcher Newell, was recently ruled out due to a foot injury.
As Robertson said, it will be a difficult situation for Reece, a 26-year-old who made his Test debut in 2019 and shone at that year’s World Cup in Japan, to accept.
Adding to the disappointment will be his All Black teammate Ioane’s accidental actions in causing it.
During the incident in the 45th minute of the Crusaders’ 34-28 victory, Ioane, entering a ruck from the side, twisted Reece off the ball and on to the ground.
Asked about the legality of the incident, Robertson replied: “There are clear protocols and follow ups from the TMO and they can look at it retrospectively… They found it was okay... It was missed at the time. It wasn’t a nice incident, was it?”
It is a blow not only for Reece, but also the Crusaders who have been hit harder by injury than any other New Zealand franchise this season.
In-form loose forward Ethan Blackadder is another casualty, tearing a calf muscle during the Crusaders’ recent victory over the Brumbies in Christchurch. He is out for six weeks.
“It’s part of playing rugby and part of being an athlete,” Robertson said. “You’d like it to be a little more spread out or not happen at all. The guys who have taken that spot, you back them and trust them.”
All Black Sam Whitelock, (broken hand), is one of four locks unavailable due to injury – Quentin Strange, Mitchell Dunshea and Zach Gallagher are others – which has led to the Crusaders asking for an exemption from an All Blacks rest week for Scott Barrett for the match against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.
Leading that request alongside Robertson was Crusaders high performance manager Angus Gardiner, whose son, Dominic, was a late addition to the starting line-up alongside Barrett for the 30-17 win over the Brumbies after Gallagher was a late withdrawal.
“With Scott it’s an individualised programme and it can be adaptable depending on the circumstances,” Robertson said.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald successfully argued for his All Blacks Stephen Perofeta and Hoskins Sotutu to play against the Force at Eden Park last weekend.
“The great thing is he gets two weeks after this – a clear break with the bye,” Robertson said of Barrett. “We’ve managed him well, he’s in good condition.”
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