Knee injury

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."

Doedee – who has been elevated to the Crows' leadership group after just 21 career games – hyperextended his left knee when he landed awkwardly after an aerial contest at training last week.

It was the same knee that Doedee ruptured his ACL in last season's round one loss to Hawthorn.

Scans have revealed Doedee's ACL is intact, however he has bone bruising that will rule him out of the Crows' second Marsh Community Series game against Gold Coast on March 6.

The 26-year-old, who earned 24 All Blacks caps, had an operation on Monday, according to a report in L'Equipe.

Fekitoa is not expected to play again for his Toulon club until late February or March.

Tonga-born Fekitoa joined Toulon in 2017 after 65 games for the Highlanders.

He has scored eight tries in 30 matches for Toulon and has appeared in 10 Top 14 games and four European Champions Cup fixtures this season.

Romero was expected to be Argentina's number one goalkeeper for the World Cup, but will be unable to take the gloves in Russia following his latest injury setback.

The goalkeeper was expected to start in goal for Manchester United in the FA Cup, but manager Jose Mourinho selected David de Gea due to Romero's lack of fitness.

And the 31-year-old, who started the World Cup final as Germany edged a 1-0 win over Argentina in 2014, will now miss the chance to represent his country in Russia.