George Bower: All Blacks prop’s Rugby World Cup dream is over due to knee injury

Crusaders and All Blacks loosehead prop George Bower has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.

Bower tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during the dying moments of the Crusaders’ Round Six Super Rugby Pacific victory over the Reds in Brisbane last month.

Underwent surgery

It means that – like All Blacks and Crusaders team-mate Sevu Reece – the 30-year-old needed a season-ending operation and he will miss this year’s Rugby World Cup in France which kicks off in September.

“George Bower suffered a significant knee injury during the Crusaders Round 6 game versus the Reds in Brisbane,” the Crusaders revealed via a press statement on their official website.

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“Following an MRI and specialist review of his knee, it was confirmed that George had a high-grade injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

“He had knee re-construction surgery last week and is expected to return to rugby in 2024.”

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said Bower was recovering well after going under the knife.

“He had an operation last week, successful. He had an ACL reconstruction. He’s mending well, both him and Sevu are together on the rehab,” he told Stuff before his team left for Melbourne ahead of their clash with the Rebels on Friday.

The 21-Test All Black is the third New Zealand international from the Crusaders to be sidelined for the rest of the season and follows Reece and fellow front-row Fletcher Newell (foot) who are also on the Christchurch-based outfit’s injury list.

Added to that, Mitchell Dunshea (chest) and hooker George Bell (ankle) are also sidelined for the season.

However, there was some good news for the Crusaders after it was confirmed that All Blacks forwards Sam Whitelock and Cullen Grace will return to action in the clash with the Rebels.

Whitelock is back in the Crusaders’ starting line-up after recovering from a broken hand sustained in their Round Four victory over the Blues in Auckland.

Meanwhile, Cullen has been named on the replacements bench after last playing in the Crusaders’ season opener against the Chiefs, where he was forced off the field during early on due a shoulder injury.

“Cullen is great, when he first got the injury he thought it was going to be a lot longer, so he’s been excited, he will bring a lot of energy off the bench and Sam is Sam,” said Robertson. “You know what he’s like, he’d play every minute of every game if he could. For him being on the sideline has been quite tough.”

Waratahs sign front-row cover

Meanwhile, the Waratahs have announced that Samoan-born front-row Nephi Leatigaga has joined them from Leicester Tigers on an injury cover contract.

This, after Wallabies prop Angus Bell was sidelined for the rest of the season with a toe injury suffered during the ‘Tahs’ Round One clash with the Brumbies in Sydney in February.

Leatigaga is an experienced campaigner who has made over 70 appearances for Leicester during four seasons at the Premiership outfit and he also had stints at Biarritz in France and Piacenza in Italy.

The 29-year-old has made six Test appearances for Samoa and also represented his country at U20 level.

Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman said: “We’re thrilled to have Nephi join us at the Waratahs. He’s a quality player with plenty of experience, and his size and strength will be a real asset to us.

“With Angus out injured, we needed to bring in someone who had the runs on the board to give us a stable scrum & maul, and Nephi fits the bill perfectly. He’s a solid addition to our squad.”

Leatigaga is excited about joining the Waratahs and is keen to help them in the build-up to the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity to play for the Waratahs and I’m looking forward to working with the team. I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead, but I’m ready for the challenge and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.