Ian Foster has handed Will Jordan something very important in 2023. And, no, we’re not talking about the No.14 All Blacks jersey that the attacking genius seems destined to wear through this Rugby World Cup campaign, continuing with back-to-back Bledisloes against the Wallabies.
That is pretty much a given now the 25-year-old has finally left behind the worrisome migraine-related issues that caused their share of concerns late last year and early this one.
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What the All Blacks coach has given arguably his most gifted running weapon this year is a licence to roam.
And it’s a green light that the champion Crusaders fullback is desperate to make the most of, even if, as now seems likely, he looks destined to spend another international season kept away from the position he feels most comfortable in.
Never mind that for now. If it’s not one Barrett (Jordie), it’s the other (Beauden) keeping the speedy Cantabrian out of the No.15 jersey he feels most at home in.
In the interests, and needs, of the team, he’s more than happy to continue doing his thing on the right wing where his brief has had somewhat of a refresh, he was happy to confirm in the wake of the 35-20 victory over the Springboks in Auckland that put the 2-0 All Blacks in the box seat for another eToro Rugby Championship title.
“Fozzie’s been keen for me to try to get in the middle of the park as much as possible, even from the wing,” Jordan said after his star turn at Mount Smart Stadium that had the Boks so bamboozled.
“So I was able to do that a couple of times. It’s just good of ‘Foz’ to give me the licence to do that.
“I’ve got a bit of experience in that role, particularly when they kick and I’m getting back into the middle. It’s just looking for space.”
Jordan has been treated as somewhat of a special commodity this year, and the July 15 outing against the Boks in Auckland was his first Test appearance of the year, and his first in nearly 10 months after complications from a migraine-like condition ruled him out of last year’s tour north and the first part of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
And when Foster left him behind from the season-opening trip to Mendoza to launch the Rugby Championship against Argentina (a resounding 41-12 All Blacks victory) there were a few murmurs of concern.
There needn’t have been. It was entirely precautionary, with Jordan given the cotton-wool treatment, and he’s expected to play a full part from here on in.
“We didn’t want to put him through a lot of extensive overseas travel,” explained Foster after the Boks Test
“It was a chance to give him a breather and [for him to] come back into the Test scene in a simpler way. But he’s good. He’s taking steps … and we’ll keep listening to him.
“After his break we saw his quality. The fact we can get him heavily involved from the wing is really pleasing.”
Jordan, whose try against the Boks brought his tally for the All Blacks to 22 in as many Tests, also moved quickly to allay any concerns over his wellbeing.
“I don’t know if it’s really that sort of case,” he said of any need for week-to-week management.
“It’s not really an issue on the field. It’s just more about managing it kind of day-to-day.
“It was good to have the week off. With the Crusaders making the final it was a tight turnaround. I’ve been feeling really good the last couple of weeks which helps me go out and do my thing.
“During Super Rugby I played, once I came back, seven of the last eight games, so I think I’ve had a pretty good run since we’ve been on top of it. So I’m feeling confident about being able to be in the group week-in and week-out. I think I’m in a good place at the moment.”
He sure is.
Jordan was sensational against the Boks, especially in an opening 20 minutes that sat the world champions on their backsides as the All Blacks burst to a 17-0 lead.
He got up off the deck to tear shreds in the South African defence for Aaron Smith’s opening try, and was again prominent in the lead-up to Shannon Frizell’s score that followed soon after.
Later he notched a try of his own, from a deft Beauden Barrett kick, and he finished a splendid match with a game-high four clean-breaks, a team-high 72 metres on the carry, and beat seven defenders – shy of only Frizell’s whopping nine.
Most interestingly, it was noticeable that the gifted open-field runner, who was a big contributor in a brilliant second half of the Super season by the ‘Saders, took that roving commission on board, as though he was in a red and black jumper, and not a black one.
Later he spoke of his relief at ending his international absence, and the anxiety he had felt in knowing the responsibility he carried.
The All Blacks are not short of contenders in their back three, and Jordan clearly felt that internal pressure to perform.
“There were a few nerves,” he reflected afterwards. “When you’ve been away for a while there’s always those natural jitters. It was good to get a few touches early on to settle in.
“We exploited space really well through the kick and run. Ultimately I loved being back out there. I love the competition and definitely missed it while I was away.
“[I was] just eager to make an impact after so long away, so to be able to spot a couple of gaps and go through, it was a bit of a confidence-booster early on.”
With Beauden Barrett having silenced doubters with two influential displays at fullback this season, Jordan seems destined to stay in this roving right-wing role for the All Blacks.
It’s one he’s well used to, having played 18 of his 22 Tests in the No.14 jersey (the other four coming off the pine). He is still yet to start an international at fullback, but notes a fluency in the New Zealand attack game this year that has him, and his team-mates, buoyed with confidence..
“I think Joe Schmidt’s been huge around just balancing our game up a little bit, with the kicking stuff, with his background from the northern hemisphere and how they play that game, has been great,” he said, referencing the addition of the former Ireland coach to the All Blacks setup midway through last season.
“I think we’ve got a clear identity around how we want to play, and it’s exciting for the boys.
“It’s been a great first couple of weeks but we also know that’s all it is. We’re excited to keep building. There’s a big couple of Tests coming up against the Aussies. That’s something we relish.”
With his licence to roam, expect Jordan to be lurking with intent through whatever opportunities he gets in Melbourne and Dunedin.
Then the real stuff begins. The chance for Will ‘Air’ Jordan to really cement himself among the elite of world Rugby.
