Will Jordan talks to Cam Roigard during the Second Test of the 2024 Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series between the New Zealand All Blacks and England at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday July 13, 2024. Copyright photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz Photo: Aaron Gillions / Photosport
Will Jordan is back in the All Blacks for the Rugby Championship, but will he be in the number 15 jersey?
The Crusaders star has been recalled to the New Zealand squad after missing the July test series with a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the entire Super Rugby season.
A regular starter and consistent performer on the wing at last year's World Cup but a fullback by preference, many pundits expect him to be the go to guy at No.15 now that he's healthy.
Will Jordan of New Zealand. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
However, All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen said Jordan could play in either position.
"His great strength is his ability to play both. When you talk about All Black outside backs, a strength they've always had is there ability to be able to cover or wing," Hansen said.
"Will Jordan is a world class athlete and rugby player. That gives us the ability to play him at fullback where he's been selected. But also our memory allows us to look at where he was last year on the right wing for the All Blacks, so we're very lucky to be have the ability to use Will where we need to."
Jordan has only recently returned to full contact training and there's a question mark over his test match readiness, with the All Blacks opening test of the Rugby Championship against Argentina in Wellington next weekend.
Will Jordan scores his side's first try during their Rugby World Cup against Italy at the OL Stadium near Lyon. Photo: AFP / Francis Bompard
Hansen is confident Jordan won't let them down, though he hinted the star back may not be available for selection against Los Pumas.
"He is a player that can come out and play test match footy straight away.
"The best thing for Will though is to give him the confidence through our environment through his contact training and collisions and that could also look like him playing for Tasman (in the NPC) in a week or so."
Tasman play a pre-season game against Southland on Friday before opening their season against Manawatū the following Sunday (11 August), the day after the All Blacks first Rugby Championship test against Argentina.
If Jordan isn't fit the All Blacks still have plenty of options at the back with Stephen Perofeta, Beauden Barrett and uncapped Hurricanes outside Ruben Love in the squad.
Beauden Barrett. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Ruben Love of the Hurricanes is tackled by Laghlan McWhannell of the Blues. Photo: Hagen Hopkins
Hansen said the coaches were impressed by Barrett's performances in the two tests against England earlier this month and said the veteran could be used at both first-five and fullback.
"Beaudy is absolute class and we'll get him on the field where we can," Hansen said.
"His quality is 'you just put me where you need me to be coaches' and he's done that so well for us. The way he's lead our weeks. The clarity and composure whether that be at 10 or fullback, the influence he's had on this group has been massive the last three tests.
"He has the ability to play 10 and lead us around the field as a first ball player, he also has quality of control as a fullback as well. You've seen the way we play, it's very likely Beauden is on one side of the ruck with Dmac (Damian McKenzie) on the other, so we see those roles as having the ability to influence our attack."
And Hansen is looking forward to seeing what 23-year-old Love, the only debutant in the squad, can bring to team.
"He's had a fantastic Super Rugby campaign. He was with us for a number of weeks (as cover during the July tests). We just saw a lot of really good attributes around him learning his craft, being professional, running very well as the opposition and he gave us a lot so we're really excited to see Reuben in."