Jordan Back

The Crusaders will receive a huge boost today with the return of All Blacks back Will Jordan. Jordan has yet to feature in the defending champions’ 2023 campaign due to an ongoing inner-ear vestibular issue suffered during last year’s Rugby Championship.

Jordan will start at fullback against the Perth-based side

“He’s got better and better and chose this game after having a couple of good training weeks,” said head coach Scott Robertson.

“He’s ready to play the full 80 if needed.”

Brodie McAlister takes a spot in the front row for his first start of the season alongside Joe Moody and now-regular starter Tamaiti Williams.

Fresh off his 50th last week, Quinten Strange will pull on the No. 5 jersey, Dom Gardiner in No. 6 with Cullen Grace returning to the starting XV at No. 8.

Noah Hotham takes a starting spot at halfback with Willi Heinz sidelined temporarily with a calf strain.

Naisarani to start

Meanwhile, former Wallabies No.8 Isi Naisarani makes his debut for Force.

He is one of three Fijian descent players in the starting line-up.

The other two are winger Manasa Mataele and halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. The match kicks off at 4.35pm.

Line-up

Crusaders: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Tamaiti Williams, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Quinten Strange, 6-Dom Gardiner, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Noah Hotham, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 11-Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12-David Havili, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Macca Springer, 15Will Jordan

Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Oliver Jager, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Christian Lio-Willie, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Fergus Burke, 23-Jack Goodhue

Force: 1. Charlie Hancock,

2. Tom Horton, 3. Santiago Medrano, 4. Felix Kalapu, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Michael Wells (c), 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Issak FinesLeleiwasa, 10. Max Burey, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Sam Spink, 14. Zach Kibirge, 15. Chase Tiatia

Reserves: 16.Feleti Kaitu’u,

17. Marley Pearce, 18. Bowen Abra, 19. Ryan McCauley,

20. Jackson Pugh, 21. Ian Prior, 22. Nikolai Foliaki, 23. George Poolman.

-Newshub

Photo: Crusaders and All Blacks star utility back Will Gordon during the Captain’s run in Christchurch, New Zealand, on May 5, 2023. Jordan was sidelined last September concering a migraine related illness. Crusaders Rugby