Crusaders star on the bench

There’s no room in the Crusaders’ starting side for white-hot outside back Will Jordan this week.

Fresh from scoring braces against the Chiefs and Highlanders, Jordan has been named on the bench for tomorrow night’s hugely anticipated clash against the Blues in Christchurch.

‘‘It’s obviously a hard decision,’’ Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said, having named vice-captain David Havili at fullback, and George Bridge and Sevu Reece on the wings.

‘‘But when you’ve got two All Black wings and your vice captain, who was probably player of Super Rugby before Covid-19 and he got sick [bowel surgery]. We spent a lot of time on the decisionmaking and who would start. But the young fella will bring a lot off the bench.’’

Jordan has lit up the competition through the Crusaders’ opening three wins, running amok from both the fullback and wing positions.

The 22-year-old, born and bred in Christchurch, leads the competition in tries (4), clean breaks (9), defenders beaten (22) and metres gained (336), launching him firmly into All Blacks contention.

It sure highlights the luxurious position Robertson is in when it comes to his outside backs depth, which also includes Leicester Faingaanuku and Manasa

Mataele. ‘‘We would start all four if we could, there is no doubt,’’ Robertson said.

Asked where he saw Jordan in the All Blacks’ pecking order, the fourth-year Crusaders head coach said his consistency over the next five matches would be paramount.

‘‘But he’s got all the qualities required. He’s on the radar.’’

Jordan’s move to the bench is one of four changes to the Crusaders’ starting side. In addition to Bridge returning to the left-wing after a week off, halfback Bryn Hall replaces Mitchell Drummond in the run-on unit.

Loose forward Tom Sanders will start in the No 6 jersey, a week after Ethan Blackadder was set to fill the void left by the injured Cullen Grace against the Highlanders, only to be scratched ahead of kickoff.

Blackadder, who had major shoulder surgery last year, is set to go under the knife in the next week, after feeling discomfort in his knee, Robertson said.

With Grace likely to miss the remainder of the competition, the Crusaders have brought in Canterbury loose forward Hugh Renton as injury cover.

Sanders started the Crusaders’ first two games of the season in February, but was unavailable immediately after the Covid-19 enforced break after becoming ill.

Sione Havili, who started at blindside flanker against the Highlanders last week, will provide impact off the bench, much like Jordan Taufua did in his final year with the team last season.

‘‘Sione Havili was exceptional last week. He’s probably a bit like Will [Jordan], gives us some great impact. They are tough decisions, there is not much in it,’’ Robertson said.