Scrum-half suffers season-ending leg break in first pre-season game [Graphic Content]

A new season - full of promise, full of hope

With Andy Ellis in Japan for the near-future, Willi Heinz was hoping to nail down a spot as the Crusaders starting scrum-half for the upcoming Super Rugby season. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, his season looks over already. Heinz suffered a ghastly leg-break in the first half of the Crusaders' 28-26 pre-season loss to Highlanders. The match was halted for almost 10 minutes as medics attended to a stricken Heinz.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: #Crusaders haflback Willi Heinz has broken his leg against the #Highlanders. #speedyrecovery pic.twitter.com/SqN5sf8KLz — ONE News - Sport (@ONENewsSport) January 24, 2015

As if the injury situation was not bad enough for the seven-time Super Rugby champions, they also lost winger Jone Macilai to a suspected broken arm. The Super Rugby season kicks off on February 13.