All Blacks star back in action as Scott Robertson gives Rugby Championship hint with 12 players released
All Blacks flyer Will Jordan in action during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
All Blacks utility back Will Jordan is set to make his long-awaited return to action in a National Provincial Championship (NPC) pre-season encounter for Tasman against Southland in Christchurch on Friday.
The 26-year-old was one of 12 members of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship squad who were released to represent their provinces ahead of the NPC warm-up fixtures.
Excellent Test try-scoring record
Jordan has been a try-scoring machine for New Zealand as he has scored 31 tries in 31 Tests appearances for his country.
He has been sidelined for the entire year after having an operation on a pre-existing shoulder injury ahead of the Crusaders’ 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
However, after an extensive period of rehabilitation in which he also participated in All Blacks training sessions in recent weeks, he is set to return to action for Tasman alongside fellow All Blacks squad members David Havili, Ethan Blackadder and Noah Hotham.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said earlier this week that he views Jordan primarily as a full-back but admitted that the player’s versatility is “critical”.
Jordan has played the bulk of his matches for the All Blacks on the right wing.
The All Blacks players will be spread across six NPC pre-season matches of which five will take place on Friday and one on Saturday.
New Zealand’s Rugby Championship squad will assemble at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt on Sunday, August 4 in preparation for their tournament against Argentina at Sky Stadium in Wellington on August 10.
Apart from Tasman’s clash with Southland, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland will host Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Otago and Counties Manukau on Friday while Northland are at home against North Harbour on Saturday.
The other NPC teams with their All Blacks are as follows:
Taranaki: Josh Lord; Bay of Plenty: Sam Cane, Pasilio Tosi; Wellington: Billy Proctor; Canterbury: George Bell; Auckland: Caleb Clarke; Northland: Ofa Tu’ungafasi; North Harbour: Wallace Sititi.
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