Ex-Wales back seals move to Super Rugby giants after All Blacks star’s injury
Johnny McNicholl of Wales runs at Rieko Ioane of New Zealand. Rugby Autumn international match, Wales v New Zealand at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 30th October 2021.
Former Scarlets and Wales outside back Johnny McNicholl has completed his return to the Crusaders.
The 33-year-old was granted an early release from his Scarlets contract to head back to his country of birth, New Zealand, and has returned to his former club.
The Crusaders announced his signing for the remainder of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season as injury cover.
McNicholl returns to the Crusaders
McNicholl returns to the side that he represented 39 times in Super Rugby after making his debut back in 2014 and fronted 60 times for Canterbury.
During his time in Wales, he played 130 games for Scarlets, scoring 57 tries and earning 10 Test caps for Wales, having qualified through residency.
“I’m really looking forward to running out in front of the home crowd again, I didn’t think I’d get that opportunity again so yeah, it’s pretty special,” McNicholl said.
“It’s also great for me and my family to be coming back home after a decent stint overseas.”
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Cover for Will Jordan
The Crusaders signed McNicholl following the news that All Blacks’ star Will Jordan will miss the entire Super Rugby Pacific season.
Jordan has been ruled out with a shoulder injury, and Crusaders head coach Rob Penney said he was “thrilled to welcome Johnny back”.
“He’ll provide cover while Will Jordan is sidelined for the season following shoulder surgery in February,” he added.
“Johnny’s a top-notch operator with proven experience, and like any good fullback, he has the potential to produce magic from anywhere on the field.
“We are looking forward to seeing him back in the colours in 2024.”
The Crusaders have endured a slow start to the season, losing their opening two games, going down 33-29 to the Chiefs in the first game before falling 37-24 to the Waratahs last weekend.
They will look to get off the mark in round three when they tackle the Fijian Drua.
