Vitality Confirms JACKZ as Stand-In for Mezii at BLAST Premier World Final
The Brit is set to miss the event in Singapore in anticipation of the birth of his first child.
Vitality has officially announced that Audric "JACKZ" Jug will stand in for William "mezii" Merriman during the upcoming BLAST Premier World Final. This decision was first revealed by French insider Sebastien "KRL" Perez and later confirmed by the organization to HLTV. The highly-anticipated event, boasting a $1 million prize pool, is set to take place from October 30 to November 3 in Singapore.
Mezii’s Absence Due to Family Commitments
Mezii will be missing the BLAST Premier World Final due to personal commitments, as he is expecting to become a father around the time of the tournament. Vitality’s coach, Rémy "XTQZZZ" Quoniam, disclosed that the decision to enlist JACKZ as a stand-in was made nearly two months ago, underscoring the team’s meticulous planning ahead of the event.
"William will become a dad around the World Final, so we decided about two months ago to take JACKZ as a stand-in," said XTQZZZ in an interview with HLTV. "Of course, we'll play with mezii before Singapore to prep for the Major."
Preparations Unhindered for the Perfect World Shanghai Major
Despite the temporary roster change, Vitality’s focus remains on the upcoming Perfect World Shanghai Major cycle. XTQZZZ assured that the team’s preparation for this significant event will not be compromised. The European Regional Major Ranking (RMR) tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Major, is scheduled to commence 14 to 18 days after the conclusion of the BLAST Premier World Final, depending on the grouping in which Vitality is placed.
This isn't the first instance where Vitality has called upon JACKZ to step in during a critical juncture. Earlier in 2023, the 32-year-old French player replaced Peter "dupreeh" Rasmussen during the group stage of ESL Pro League Season 17 while dupreeh was on parental leave. JACKZ's experience and adaptability have made him a reliable choice for Vitality in moments of need.
JACKZ has been a free agent since being benched by TSM in April 2024. In the interim, he has continued to showcase his skills with various teams, most notably with Project G—a roster that disbanded after just two months in September. His availability and experience make him a fitting temporary addition to the Vitality lineup for this high-stakes event.
Implications for Vitality's Performance at the BLAST Premier World Final
The decision to bring in JACKZ as a stand-in has raised questions about Vitality’s performance prospects at the BLAST Premier World Final. While mezii’s presence would undoubtedly be missed, JACKZ's proven track record with the team during crucial moments provides a level of confidence. The chemistry between JACKZ and the existing roster could play a decisive role in Vitality’s strategy and execution on the battlefield in Singapore.
The BLAST Premier World Final represents one of the most prestigious tournaments in the CS2 calendar. Vitality's performance in this event could set the tone for their approach to the upcoming RMR and the Perfect World Shanghai Major. With a prize pool of $1 million on the line, every match will be crucial for establishing momentum ahead of the last major of the season.
Competitive Landscape of the Event
Vitality will face a challenging lineup of top-tier teams, making their path to the finals anything but straightforward. The presence of JACKZ as a stand-in could introduce an element of unpredictability, which might work to their advantage against teams unprepared for this roster adjustment.
