Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

More concerns for All Blacks with Will Jordan absent from training

With 16 tries in 11 Tests, Will Jordan came of age against Wales (Photo by Ian Cook via Getty Images)

With Beauden and Jordie Barrett both leaving the field early against the Springboks on Saturday evening, the potential loss of another fullback option would be a major blow for the All Blacks this week.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jordie Barrett departed the field in the 52nd minute of the 26-10 loss, ostensibly after some friendly fire from captain Sam Cane, while his older brother headed to the sidelines after a dangerous aerial challenge from Kurt-Lee Arendse.

While Ian Foster indicated on Sunday that both Barrett brothers could potentially take the field this weekend, it wouldn’t be a shock to see one or both omitted from the team sheet come Thursday’s announcement.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Both players featured at training on Tuesday – although Jordie was notably absent from the kicking drills at the end of the scrimmage – but the same couldn’t be said for Will Jordan, who was placed on the right wing in Mbombela.

“I don’t think he’s too bad, he’s just got a bit of a mild stomach issue,” Cane told media following training. “He was at the gym yesterday arvo so it can’t be too bad.”

The All Blacks confirmed that at this stage, Jordan is still very much in contention to play this weekend – but missing the major training session might not work in his favour.

Should Jordie Barrett be unavailable for Saturday’s rematch with the Springboks, Jordan would have been the fan-favourite to step into the No 15 jersey – although it’s just as likely that head coach Ian Foster simply shifts Beauden Barrett to fullback and brings Richie Mo’unga in at first five-eighth.

ADVERTISEMENT

Jordan has yet to suit up in the fullback position for the New Zealand national side, despite playing the bulk of his Super Rugby career in that role.

David Havili and Stephen Perofeta are other squad members who could suit up at the back but it would be a big ask for either player, with the former spending the past two seasons almost exclusively in the midfield and the latter uncapped at Test level.

Regardless of availability, it’s anticipated that Foster will make a number of changes to the side for this weekend’s encounter.

Related

In the backline, Quinn Tupaea looms as a possible selection in the No 12 jersey as a potential counter for the sizeable Damian de Allende, while it would be a surprise if Foster didn’t rotate his loose forwards.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up front, the All Blacks head coach was full of praise for the reserve props on Sunday – potentially indicating that changes could be coming in the front row this weekend.

“Pretty pleased with that front row in the second half too, to be honest,” he said after talking up Samisoni Taukei’aho’s performance in the No 2 jersey.

“If you look at South Africa, in big games they really go to their scrum in that second half and it’s a big part of their game and I thought our scrum grew stronger and stronger as that game went on, which is another pleasing thing.”

Saturday’s Test between the Springboks and All Blacks will kick off at 5:05pm from Johannesburg with the All Blacks side set to be named on Thursday morning (SAST).

South Africa have already named their 23 for the fixture, with loosehead prop Ox Nche and hooker Bongi Mbonambi coming in for Trevor Nyakan and Malcolm Marx in the front row, amongst a number of changes to the line-up.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

4 Comments
M
Martyn 818 days ago

Perhaps it's time for Foster to go something more radical, may I suggest the following...

  1. De Groot
  2. Taukei'aho
  3. Laulala
  4. Whitelock
  5. Vaa'i
  6. Barrett
  7. Savea (C)
  8. Sotutu
  9. Christie
  10. Mo'unga
  11. Fainga'anuku
  12. Tupaea
  13. Clarke
  14. Reece
  15. Jordan
  16. Taylor
  17. Ross
  18. Ta'avao
  19. Tuipulotu
  20. Papalii
  21. Fakatava
  22. B Barrett
  23. RTS
Load the midfield/backline with power & pace, that's what's lacking.

R
Robert 818 days ago

Under Foster, its a bit like shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'World-class finisher' offers All Blacks selection solution Mark Tele'a scores a double at Allianz Stadium
Search