Will Jordan: 'There's been a switch flipped' in All Blacks camp for first Boks Test

Will Jordan says the All Blacks have clicked into Test match mode ahead of the first of four games against the Springboks at Ellis Park this weekend, having noticed a lift in intensity on the training field.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined for the first three games of the tour against URC club teams, nursing a back injury as his fellow outside backs audition for the right wing role he’s occupied to begin New Zealand’s international season.

Jordan’s return has since been confirmed for the Test series opener, and while he says his build-up for the match hasn’t gone exactly as he would have hoped, he was pleased with the way his teammates stepped up in his absence.

“In a perfect world, you would have some reps under your belt and build on combinations,” he said on the All Blacks’ Inside the Black Jersey podcast.

“I just picked up a little bit of a back niggle at an unfortunate time with the three games in eight days or whatever it was against the provincial teams. Had something that laid me low for about a week, and it was right smack bang in the middle of that. So, it was a bit disappointing not to have a crack against the URC sides; it would’ve been good to have a run.

“But the good news is we have plenty of wingers over here, and the boys have been playing really well. We have had a few boys go down and unfortunately had to fly home, so I’m grateful to still be over here.”

Jordan, now the leading try-scorer in All Blacks history, said that despite his injury, he’s been enjoying his time in South Africa and has seen a reinvigorated competitive edge enter the team environment as the big games approach.

“The boys have really enjoyed the last two weeks, having our feet on the ground, feeling the lifestyle and the passion for rugby over here, and also getting a few reps against their style of play.

“I feel like off the back of last week against the Bulls, there’s been a bit of a switch flipped, and the boys are excited to get into it, get stuck into the Test.

“I think we’re in as good a spot as we can be. We understand the South Africans and what they bring, how challenging it’ll be at altitude at Ellis Park. What a place to be; we’re excited about that and testing ourselves against the best.”

While this weekend’s game is the first in the four-Test series, Jordan says he won’t be treating it like that, instead adopting the mindset that the game at hand is the only game that matters.

“It’s hugely important. It’s a massive difference, obviously going to Cape Town down 0-1 as opposed to being up 1-0. So, you’ve really just got to have a lens on this week, not worry too much about what’s beyond that and treat it as a bit of a final in a way.

“It’s all chips in for this weekend and trying to get a job done.”