A shoulder injury requiring surgery has ruled New Zealand and Crusaders fullback Will Jordan out of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

The fullback will also miss mid-year tests against England and Fiji.

Crusaders announced on Tuesday that Jordan will soon go under the knife for treatment on a long-standing injury.

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“Will Jordan has recently been under conservative management due to a pre-existing shoulder injury from the 2023 season,” said a statement.

“After assessment from the Crusaders medical team he will undergo surgery and as a result be unavailable for selection during the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. He is expected to be fit to return to play in approximately six months.”

The 24-year-old has 31 tries in 31 tests for New Zealand.

Another Crusaders fullback, Leigh Halfpenny, is out for the foreseeable future with a chest injury while utility back Fergus Burke will be out until April with an Achilles problem.

Crusaders forward Ethan Blackadder is also battling injury with a calf complaint set to keep him out of the Super Rugby opener against the Chiefs at Hamilton on Friday and probably Round 2 as well.

with AAP