Rugby-Whitelock, Reece injury blows for Crusaders ahead of Brumbies clash

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2019 - Pool B - New Zealand v Namibia - Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - October 6, 2019 New Zealand's Sam Whitelock in action with Namibia's AJ de Klerk REUTERS/Issei Kato

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Reigning champions the Canterbury Crusaders have been hit by injuries to totemic lock Sam Whitelock and prolific winger Sevu Reece ahead of Friday's Super Rugby Pacific clash with the unbeaten ACT Brumbies.

Scott Robertson, who was announced as the next All Blacks coach on Tuesday, was already without injured test players David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Will Jordan and Cullen Grace for the Christchurch meeting with the Canberra-based side.