‘It’s a position I’m more comfortable with’ – Will Jordan reveals where he wants to play for the All Blacks
Will Jordan in action for New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Star outside back Will Jordan has finally weighed in on where he wants to play for the All Blacks with much discussion around whether he should slot in at wing or fullback.
The majority of Jordan’s Test career has seen him on the wing but many feel it is the time for him to switch to fullback where he has played most of his club career for the Crusaders.
Reunited
The calls for that switch are fueled by the fact that All Blacks boss Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson was the Crusaders head coach who deployed Jordan at the back. The prolific try-scorer is delighted to be reunited with Razor in the national set-up.
“I know Razor [Robertson] and the way he likes to go about his weeks, and he’s bringing a great edge to the group,” Jordan told the All Blacks website.
“He’s hugely ready for this opportunity and excited for me. I’ve got a great relationship with him. There may be a few adjustments to the other boys coming in with a different style.
“But the feedback around the group is that he’s doing a great job around having us connected and excited about the way we want to play.”
Where to play?
Jordan has been training both at wing, where he made his injury return off the bench last weekend, and at fullback in the All Blacks camp but the Crusader knows it will be difficult to jump straight in at 15 considering the influence of Beauden Barrett in black this season.
“I’ve been out for a while and coming back in, you just want to play your part. Beaudy’s [Beauden Barrett] been playing well at the back, and the wings have been going well. I’ll just try and have influence where I can, whether that’s at fullback, or on the wing and be clear with my voice and actions.”
The All Black suggested the difference between the positions is not as big as one might think but underlined that he is comfortable on the wing.
“I’ve had a few years of it and in many ways, like on attack, I play a bit like a fullback anyway with how I’m allowed to roam around the field. There are a few changes around defence and being more on the front line, but I’ve played 30 Tests on the wing now, so it’s a position I’m more comfortable with.
“It’s about getting those combinations with the guys who are inside you and getting comfortable being on the same page as them.”
Stop the Argentine juggernaut
Jordan’s return was a silver lining on a dreadful result for the All Blacks last time out as an inspired Pablo Matera powered Los Pumas to a 30-38 win in the Rugby Championship opener. The All Blacks are desperate to reduce his influence in the Eden Park Test.
“Pablo [Matera] and [Marcos] Kremer are huge influences for them. So, it’s important that we get on top of them and limit the opportunities to get their emotion up and get the ball rolling.
‘We know that Argentina are trying to slow us down at the breakdown, so we are trying to generate quick ball and do everything we can with intent. It was a good session today, and we got through a lot of stuff, so when we get to Saturday, it’s about being confident in what we’re trying to do.”
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