All Blacks prop George Bower has been ruled out of all rugby for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.
On Wednesday, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed Bower's ACL injury will sideline him for the remainder of 2023, adding to his squad's significant injury toll.
Bower's loss will also be keenly felt by the All Blacks, who will be without the prop's services for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Teammate and fellow All Blacks frontrower Fletcher Newell has already been scratched for the season, meaning Bower's absence will put more stress on Ian Foster's tight-five stocks.
The 21-test forward has undergone surgery for the injury, which he suffered in the final minute of the Crusaders win over the Reds in Brisbane on March 31.
He joins Sevu Reece in the Crusaders' long-term injury ward, with the wing to spend the rest of 2023 recovering from his own knee injury, alongside lock Mitchell Dunshea (chest) and hooker George Bell (ankle).
In more positive injury news, the Crusaders will imminently welcome a host of first-choice players back into the fold.
That includes Will Jordan, with the All Blacks speedster close to returning the field, after overcoming the migraine-related illness that has seen him miss his team's entire Super Rugby Pacific campaign to date.
Talismanic lock Sam Whitelock (hand), Cullen Grace (shoulder), and Ethan Blackadder (calf) are also on the brink of a comeback.
After last week's bye, the Crusaders take on the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday.
