Scott Robertson hints at Will Jordan return for the All Blacks for Rugby Championship

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has hinted that Will Jordan could make his All Blacks return soon as they prepare for the Rugby Championship.

After completing the July series against England and Fiji, the coaches will assemble at NZCIS in Wellington where they will announce a 36-man squad on Sunday.

The initial squad for the England series had just 32 players, with eight additional players bought in as part of an extended squad. From the additional eight, a handful were handed All Blacks debuts against Fiji.

On the four extra selections available, Robertson shared the conversations the selectors are having around which positions they need.

“It depends on the mix. If we take an extra front rower, loose forward or lock position,” Robertson told media.

“That is the two areas we’re discussing at the moment, and, and obviously a couple of backs, ones that you know, can play a couple of positions.

“Without sort of naming names, but you know, we’ve got one coming back from injury as well.

“So a bit of a mix, couple in the forwards, couple in the backs.”

The high profile name that fits Robertson’s description is Will Jordan, who hasn’t played since the World Cup final last November.

He decided to undergo surgery this year for a pre-existing shoulder injury that ruled him out of the entire Super Rugby Pacific season.

He has made a successful recovery and has been training with the All Blacks through the July series.

The position of real concern for the All Blacks is halfback with Cortez Ratima the latest in the injury ward.

After losing Cam Roigard to injury during the Super Rugby season, TJ Perenara suffered a knee injury in the first Test against England.

Ratima’s first start for the All Blacks lasted 35 minutes before an HIA after a hard knock on the turf, which put debutant Noah Hotham on for the majority of the game.

“He woke up well. Doc said he was in good spirits. He obviously couldn’t go back on and he’ll go through the next two or three week protocols to make sure he’s available, but he’s in good spirits,” Robertson said of Ratima.

However while Ratima might be sidelined with concussion protocols in the early part of the campaign, Robertson had a positive update for Perenara and expected to name him in the upcoming squad.

“TJ, anything the doc says he minuses two or three of it, in weeks. He’s great, he’s tracking incredibly well, but he’ll be available. Yes, we believe for him to be named.”

In terms of where the squad has progressed over the last month, Robertson said the defence has been a standout over the first few Tests.

“On-field reflects off-field preparation. With all our leadership, all the management, coaching group and everything, it’s been a big month since the team naming, so looking back a lot’s been done,” he said.

“And you know, your true reflection of your environment is the performance on the field.

“We’re really pleased with holding Fiji to five [points]. You know, not many teams you can keep them down to one try.

“We’ve had a couple of kick offs [receipts], a lot of tries off kicks in the last couple of weeks, and that’s something we’ve got to work on as well.

“But just a genuine care in our defence has been incredible, and we’ve learned a lot, learned quickly, and know that we can be better, that’s the exciting thing. So, yeah, very pleased.”

On the attack side of the ball, Robertson spoke of the missed opportunities from the second England Test as motivation for the Fiji game.

Despite trialling new combinations, a new midfield, halves pairing and back three, they were able to capitalise on more in San Diego.

“To be fair, we’re a little bit more courageous and playing, playing a little bit more,” Robertson said of the the progression against Fiji.

“We were aware of sometimes the opportunities we didn’t take against the English by actually having a crack.

“Just last pass stuff. You know, there’s a couple of call backs by the ref. When those passes stick after what we’ve created, that’s the exciting part.
We’re evolving.”