All Blacks without in-form duo for Argentina Test in Mendoza

Dylan Coetzee 02 Jul 2023 6:30 AM

Will Jordan carries the ball for the Crusaders — Crusaders and All Blacks utility back Will Jordan.

The All Blacks will be travelling to Argentina for their Rugby Championship opener next weekend without the in-form duo of Leicester Fainga’anuku and Will Jordan.

Fainga’anuku, who is Toulon-bound, had another sublime Super Rugby Pacific season and finished as the competition’s top try-scorer with 13. However, he is suffering from a calf issue and head coach Ian Foster has decided not to take him.

Worry for Jordan

Meanwhile, Jordan will be left behind as he is suffering from a “migrainous condition”. This is worrying as the prolific star spent the beginning part of the club season on the sidelines struggling with the same issue.

Foster claims that the decision to leave Jordan in New Zealand is precautionary as they look to protect their star man for a busy Test season with the 2023 Rugby World Cup looming.

“Will has been going really well but in order to make sure he keeps tracking that way, we’ve decided to withdraw him from the long-haul trip to Argentina,” Foster said.

“This is more of a precautionary measure that we’ve put in place with the bigger picture of 2023 in mind.”

Depth not an issue

Even though both players are outside backs, the All Blacks are still loaded with depth and have plenty of options in Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa and the prolific Shaun Stevenson.

Telea is still recovering from injury which could see Stevenson make his long-awaited Test debut. The Chief had a magnificent season and was a key player in his side’s run into the Super Rugby Pacific final.

💥 Shaun Stevenson CANNOT stop scoring! What a player! #CHIvHIG #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/8wDzAZn9Xk

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 10, 2023