All Blacks fullback Will Jordan might have had less than a minute in his favoured fullback role on Saturday night in Dunedin, but if the rest of his performance was anything to go by, it doesn’t really matter where he’s playing.
28-year-old All Blacks winger Sevu Reece went down after just 55 seconds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, after picking up a head knock attempting to make a tackle on the French ball carrier.
The injury moved Jordan to the right wing, where he has played a lot of rugby for the All Blacks, as well as replacement playmaker Damian McKenzie to fullback.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has a number of options in that right wing position, including Emoni Narawa, Jordan, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Ruben Love, or a shift involving Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke.
Robertson spoke to the media in Wellington on Monday afternoon, where he talked openly about how versatile Jordan is.
“Well, this is the good thing about Will (Jordan), it will be seamless, going to the wing, and with McKenzie coming on, so yeah it is an option, but it might not be an option either,” Robertson told media in Wellington.
The All Blacks head coach, who’s in his second year of coaching the team, explains what he was impressed with from Jordan’s performance on the weekend.
“It was pretty special, wasn’t it, both sides of the ball, physically tough.
“He’s a great finisher, he anticipates it, and you feel like he’s three steps ahead sometimes, just his feet are moving to where the ball is going to be beforehand.
“That’s a sign of form, and he’s really coming of age.”
Despite being asked multiple times regarding the specific team selection this weekend, Robertson is keeping his cards close to his chest.
“Good leading question, so we’ll find out Thursday. I haven’t even told the players the team yet, mate, so this is Monday, we’ll see on Thursday.”
When asked about whether the game plan will have to change due to expected wet and windy weather in Wellington, Robertson jokingly sounded surprised.
“Wind and rain in Wellington? The one that goes round and round or goes sideways?
“Look, you’re coming here, you pay for all of it, and we respect that. This is the great thing about rugby, like we will have a full house and crowd coming along that will put another layer on and a beanie, and we’ll just get into it.
“I think that’s the pleasures of our game, it’s made some remarkable games and pretty tough conditions haven’t we, so the plan is to have a great week and go out and play what’s in front of us.”
