Johnny McNicholl, the former Scarlets and Wales outside back, has officially returned to the Crusaders. The 33-year-old has been granted an early release from his Scarlets contract to rejoin his former club in his home country, New Zealand. This signing comes as injury cover for the remainder of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, following the news that All Blacks star Will Jordan will miss the entire season due to a shoulder injury.
McNicholl previously represented the Crusaders 39 times in Super Rugby, making his debut back in 2014, and also played 60 times for Canterbury. During his time in Wales, he had an impressive record of 130 games for Scarlets, scoring 57 tries, and earning 10 Test caps for Wales through residency qualifications.
In expressing his excitement about returning to play in front of his home crowd, McNicholl stated, “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. It’s also great for me and my family to be coming back home after a decent stint overseas.”
The signing of McNicholl has been welcomed by Crusaders head coach Rob Penney, who expressed his thrill at having the veteran player back in the team. Penney stated, “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 had a slow start to the season, suffering defeats in their first two games. They will be relying on McNicholl’s expertise to improve their performance and secure their first win in the upcoming games.
This new addition to the Crusaders’ squad is a significant development, especially given the absence of Will Jordan, who was a crucial player for the team. With the talent and experience that McNicholl brings, the team is hopeful for positive results in the coming matches.
The return of Johnny McNicholl is a testament to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the Super Rugby season. Fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing him back in action on the field. The Crusaders’ loyal supporters are optimistic that his presence will bring a positive impact and contribute to the team’s success as the season progresses.