BBC Rugby Union: Will Jordan’s Triumphant Return Excites All Blacks Ahead of Rugby Championship
Damian McKenzie is brimming with enthusiasm about the potential impact Will Jordan can make in an All Blacks jersey after recovering from injury. The versatile back showed no ill-effects of the shoulder surgery that has kept him sidelined since last year’s Rugby World Cup when he took the field in a pre-season friendly.
Jordan played 60 minutes and scored a try in Tasman Mako’s 36-7 triumph over Southland at the weekend, putting him firmly in contention to start for the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Wellington on Saturday.
“He’s looking great, Will. He’s like the Ferrari, bringing him out of the garage at the right time,” the fly-half McKenzie said. “He’s ready to go, and it’s great to see him play some NPC [pre-season] for Tasman at the weekend. It’s been a long-time coming since the World Cup, so we’re excited to have him back.”
The sentiments were echoed by center Jordie Barrett, who hopes Jordan can replicate his heroics from the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, where he scored a hat-trick. “More of that would be great,” Barrett said. “It was good to see Will back in the squad with a smile on his face.”
Another player making a return to the squad from injury is former captain Sam Cane, who is playing his final season of Test rugby before departing New Zealand for a lucrative contract in Japan. McKenzie believes Cane’s experience and leadership will be invaluable to the team.
“Sammy’s obviously had a massive career in New Zealand with the All Blacks. He’ll want to go out on a high note,” McKenzie said. “Just to have his experience and his leadership around the group, you can’t put a price on that. He’s been great to have back in the squad, and just a good man to have around bouncing ideas off, and bouncing ideas off as a leader as well.”
The All Blacks will face a tough challenge in the Rugby Championship, but the return of Jordan and Cane has the team excited and optimistic about their chances of success.
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