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Jordan relishing being back in the mix

Jordan relishing being back in the mix

All BlacksAugust 14, 2024

All Blacks wing/fullback Will Jordan is relishing his return to active rugby in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship after missing much of the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Ahead of Saturday's second Test with Argentina at Eden Park, Jordan said that having 30 minutes of action in the first Test, where it was a tight game with 20 minutes to go, but ill-discipline and errors swung the result to Argentina.

"The forward pass I was called back on could have been a huge moment in the game if we'd scored.

"It's understanding that it is a fine margin and if you get an opportunity it's making sure you nail it."

Jordan said the team's focus for Saturday has been on being decisive in what they do.

'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."

Having observed the camp during the July series, Jordan felt the team had transitioned well from the previous coaching group to the new one under Scott Robertson.

He is enjoying being reunited with his former Crusaders coach, Scott Robertson.

"I know Razor [Robertson] and the way he likes to go about his weeks, and he's bringing a great edge to the group.


"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."

They had a lot of time together in hotels to talk about what they were attempting to do, and he said they had a good plan for the weekend.

Argentina was a different team from England, which brought line speed from the edge. Argentina required different running lines, and they played with a lot of physicality and passion, inspired by their loose forwards.

"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."

Jordan said his shoulder feels good, and after a couple of games, he felt confident about it.

He has been training at wing and fullback and is concentrating on fitting in amongst the side.

"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."

Jordan said he was used to playing in either of the positions.

"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."

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