Sevu Reece

All Blacks wing Sevu Reece won't return this season

Reece suffered a serious knee injury in the Crusaders Super Rugby win over the Blues earlier this month and this morning it was confirmed he had ruptured his ACL and will be sidelined for the rest of 2023.

The Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said the 26-year-old wing won't be back this year.

"Sevu's out for the whole of the 2023 season. 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."

Whitelock, Reece injuries bring Razor back down to earth at Crusaders

Whitelock’s injury, suffered in the Crusaders’ thrilling 34-28 victory over the Blues at Eden Park at the weekend, will rule him out for several weeks, starting with his side’s home match against the unbeaten Brumbies on Friday night.

Reece limped from the Eden Park pitch with what was initially thought to be an ankle problem but has now been confirmed as a potentially long-term knee injury.

We can't blame the weather: Crusaders Sevu Reece

The All Blacks rep said the Drua deserved the win and he expects to see more from the Fijian club.

 “It’s unfair to blame the weather, the Drua showed up to play and they played their hearts out,” Reece said after the game.

 “It’s great to see a team like the Drua in the competition, freshens the game and definitely look forward to seeing more.”

 Reece added playing in front of his countrymen and a jam-packed crowd never disappointed, and he was thankful to the supporters for supporting the game.

Crusaders optimistic Sevu Reece will play Reds in Super Rugby Pacific playoff

Wing Reece was forced to retire in the ninth minute of last Friday's match against the Reds, won 28-15 by the Crusaders in Christchurch, because he required a head injury assessment and needed to be replaced by fellow All Black George Bridge.

The re-match against the Reds, who have remained in Christchurch to prepare for the sudden-death fixture, will again be staged at Orangetheory Stadium and the early indications are that Reece will be available to line-up on the right wing.

'I have a few tricks': New meets old as Sevu Reece prepares for showdown with former All Black

In fact, Reece featured in just a solitary match – New Zealand’s loss to Australia in Brisbane.

Instead, new coach Ian Foster favoured utility back Jordie Barrett on the right wing, while the likes of George Bridge, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane were given chances on the left.

That’s despite Reece playing a key role in the Crusaders securing a fourth title on the trot, featuring in all seven of their matches and finishing the season as the competition’s second-equal top try scorer.

Reece returns for the All Blacks

He had missed the earlier three games.

Reece has scored four tries in 7 games for the All Blacks.

He was the Super Rugby Rookie of the Year last year.

Former Fiji under 20 rep, Alex Hodgman is on the bench while Hoskins Sotutu has been rested this week.

Beauden Barrett returns to his preferred first five position while Jordie Barrett moves to fullback.

Fans dump All Blacks duo out of race to be crowned world's best wing

Punters worldwide have hit the polls on RugbyPass’ Facebook and Instagram accounts as part of the initiative to decide the world’s best players in each position, as voted by the fans.

Two instalments of the series have already passed, with England second rower Maro Itoje dispatching South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth for the lock title, while World Rugby player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit pipped All Blacks star Ardie Savea in the flanker vote.

Sevu Reece commits to New Zealand Rugby and Crusaders

The news comes on the back of the 22-year-old's breakout season last year.  Reece was called into the Crusaders as a replacement before joining the squad fulltime. His blistering pace and sharp finishing saw him top the try-scoring chart for the Super Rugby season with 15 tries.

His year got better when he was picked for the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship, and then the Rugby World Cup squad.  He played seven tests in total in 2019, including four matches at RWC2019, and scored four tries.

All Black Sevu Reece returns home to Fiji to celebrate with family

The 22-year-old flew back home to Nadi last night to celebrate his achievement so far with his parents and siblings.

Photos were posted up on social media showing the Reece family home decorated with All Blacks and Crusaders colours to celebrate.

Sevu was accorded a traditional Fijian welcome by his family.

On Saturday night, he silenced critics of his selection in the team that took on the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup by scoring a try.

It was Sevu’s first try in his first test match in the 36-0 win against Australia.

     

Sevu Reece surprised with Bledisloe Cup start

Reece comes into the team for his second test at the expense of veteran Ben Smith who was left out of the matchday 23 after a below-par performance during last week's 47-26 defeat to Australia in Perth. 

The must-win Bledisloe Cup rematch will be Reece's last chance to show coach Steve Hansen why he deserves to be on the plane to Japan as part of the All Blacks' 31-man World Cup squad which is named on August 28. 

But Reece's mind is solely focused on helping the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park on Saturday.