Will Jordan OUT? Ranking five All Black full-back options as Dave Rennie sweats over key man’s fitness
Will Jordan (left) is a doubt for the All Blacks ahead of the Nations Championship.
The All Blacks are sweating over the fitness of star outside back Will Jordan, who will miss the rest of the 2026 Super Rugby season.
Jordan, 28, has been an integral part of the All Blacks starting XV in recent years, be it on the wing or full-back, but incoming head coach Dave Rennie faces a nervy wait ahead of their Nations Championship opener against France on July 4.
Since his debut back in 2020, Jordan has tallied 54 Test caps and featured at the 2023 World Cup.
Will Jordan a doubt for All Blacks opener as injury update issued
The versatile back has had a stop-start Super Rugby season, with just seven appearances to his name for the Crusaders this campaign, but it seems he is now set for another spell on the sidelines with a calf issue.
“Will Jordan sustained a calf injury against the Chiefs on Friday, 22nd May,” the Crusaders said in a statement.
“His anticipated return to play is four to six weeks, ruling him out of the remainder of Super Rugby Pacific.”
His likely absence is undoubtedly a major concern for incoming head coach Rennie, with Jordan starting 14 of the All Blacks’ past 17 Tests with 15 on his back, meaning they will have to find a new man to slot in here for the opener against France.
All Blacks full-back options ranked
But, what options does the boss have at his disposal? Well, here’s our take on the leading contenders to replace Jordan.
Test starter: Damian McKenzie
You would think long-time All Black Damian McKenzie is the leading option to start at 15 now, with Jordan a doubt.
This is also a huge chance for him to come back into the starting XV at fly-half after being usurped in November, but moving him back to full-back could free him up rather than outright running the attack from 10 as he did last year.
McKenzie’s real strength is playing in broken field where he can use his speed and eye for space effectively, and he will get that in bucketfuls at full-back. Crucially, his time at 10 also then makes him that extra ball-player in the back-field, which is becoming increasingly important in the modern Test game.
It’s a move that seems to tick all the boxes.
In the mix: Beauden Barrett, Ruben Love
Thinking along similar lines, Beauden Barrett and Ruben Love are also likely options to come in at full-back. Like McKenzie, both players would be able to really inject themselves into the game well from 15, while also offering that playmaking threat in the backfield.
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Crucially, they both also boast decent experience at full-back, with Barrett starting a number of games here for both club and country while Love also started twice for the All Blacks here last year with Jordan moved to the wing, and they would likely slot straight back in if needed.
McKenzie is potentially still the leading option, especially with Barrett a probable starter at fly-half and Love still finding his feet at Test level, but they will not be far off.
Outside bet: Joshua Moorby and Zarn Sullivan
Two uncapped men in decent touch right now, Joshua Moorby and Zarn Sullivan could be in the mix for selection with Jordan potentially ruled out.
Looking at Moorby first, his form for the Hurricanes this season has put him right on the Test radar looking towards the Nations Championship, even being namechecked by All Blacks legends over a possible call-up, and offers a similar sort of vibe to Jordan given his time out on the wing.
Blues man Sullivan has also been building up nicely across his career to this point, again really impressing in 2026 with four tries in 12 Super Rugby outings, and would again offer something unique to this All Blacks side.
Selecting either man would also be a real mark of intent from Rennie too, rewarding proper form in Super Rugby while also starting to blood in fresh faces and add to the depth chart ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Bringing either man in now would be a big call, but there’s certainly good evidence to do it.
Fast-tracked back: Richie Mo’unga
Could the injury to Jordan force New Zealand Rugby’s hand and fast-track Richie Mo’unga’s return back into the All Blacks system? The fly-half is not technically eligible for the Test side until August, part-way through the Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks, but with some of their leading contenders likely to shift over to full-back, it could see the national body move quickly to bring him into the mix.
It would potentially set a precedent moving forward for foreign-based players, but his return from Japan has been done with the Test side in mind, and what better way to begin the new Rennie era than with the prodigal son returning.
Let’s face it, the rules are there for a reason and they will likely be adhered to, but weirder things have happened in rugby.
