The Crusaders have confirmed that star wing Sevu Reece has been sidelined with a knee ligament injury which will rule him out of the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup campaign in France later this year.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury during the Crusaders’ 34-28 victory over the Blues in their Round Four Super Rugby Pacific encounter at Eden Park in Auckland earlier this month.

Reece sidelined for the rest of the year

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson confirmed that Reece is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Sevu’s out for the whole of the 2023 season,” said Robertson. “He’s back in ’24.

“We really feel for him. He’s been incredible for us. It’s a big loss.

“A lot of work will get him back to where he was beforehand, being a world class wing.”

Reece has been a stalwart for the Crusaders since joining them in 2019 and his fine form at Super Rugby level led to him earning an All Blacks call up later that year.

He made his Test debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires during the Rugby Championship, was also part of New Zealand’s squad at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and has made 23 Test appearances so far.

Meanwhile, Robertson also revealed that the Crusaders will be without All Blacks flanker Ethan Blackadder for six weeks due to a calf injury.

Reece and Blackadder’s injuries are the latest setbacks for the Crusaders who are already without Sam Whitelock (broken hand), David Havili (shoulder), Jack Goodhue (groin), utility back Will Jordan (vestibular) and back-row Cullen Grace (shoulder).

Robertson not panicking

Despite the mounting injury list, Robertson is not panicking.

“It’s part of playing rugby, and part of being an athlete,” he said. “You’d like it to be a little bit more spread out, or not happen at all, but it’s just part of it.

“You’ve just got to get around the guys that have had injuries. We’ll make a big deal around it and make sure we support them all the way.

“It’s tough, tough for them.”

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: England international Brad Shields to rejoin Hurricanes in 2024

The article Sevu Reece: All Blacks flyer to miss Rugby World Cup due to knee injury appeared first on Planetrugby.com.