All Black George Bower will miss World Cup with season-ending injury

All Blacks prop George Bower will miss this year’s Rugby World Cup after suffering an ACL injury against the Queensland Reds last month.

Bower was helped from the field inside the final minute of the contest after sustaining the cruel injury blow at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed that Bower has undergone surgery, and will miss the rest of the 2023 season.

“He had an operation last week, successful. He had an ACL reconstruction. He’s mending well,” Robertson told reporters on Wednesday.

“Both he and Sevu will have to get on the rehab journey back here.”

Bower, who has played 22-Tests in the black jersey, joins teammate Sevu Reece on the sidelines.

Reece was also ruled out of the World Cup in France after suffering an ACL injury against the Blues at Eden Park.

“It’s a hard one, for him and whole club because he is so important to us,” Robertson said about Reece’s injury earlier this season.

“Really feel for him. He’s been incredible for us. A lot of hard work will get him back to where he was beforehand, a world-class wing.”

Following their slow start to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the Crusaders have silenced their critics with a run of impressive wins.

The title holders have won their last four matches on the bounce, which includes wins over competitive heavyweights the Blues and Brumbies.

After missing round eight on a bye week, the Crusaders return to action on Friday night against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.