During the initial media session of the season, held on a warm January day, the All Blacks’ Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie offered insights into the 2024 team dynamics, positioning themselves as key players for the upcoming World Cup cycle. However, the looming return of Beauden Barrett, set to come back to New Zealand Rugby after concluding his Japanese season, introduces a potential shift in the team’s dynamics.
Throughout Barrett’s tenure with the All Blacks, similar to McKenzie, he has showcased versatility by playing both as the first five-eighths and fullback, making him a valuable asset off the bench. The 32-year-old’s inclusion in the squad remains uncertain, but Jordan acknowledged that Barrett’s return provides selectors with additional options. Despite this, Jordan, at 25 years old, expressed his focus on securing more playing time as the All Blacks’ fullback, emphasizing his intent to shine during the Super Rugby campaign.
With 31 tests since his debut in 2020, Jordan has predominantly featured as a right-wing player, with only one appearance in the No 15 jersey. Notably, he has excelled as the primary fullback for the Crusaders, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top attacking assets in that position. However, Jordan faced limited game time in 2023 due to migraine-related issues. Looking ahead, he aims to perform well in Super Rugby, hoping to secure a spot in the All Blacks squad when selections are made in July.
Under the new leadership of Scott Robertson, who takes charge of the All Blacks this year, anticipation is high for the Super Rugby season and the subsequent squad announcement. Jordan suggested that it’s premature to speculate on the lineup in January, emphasizing the importance of earning a spot through strong performances in Super Rugby. Notably, opportunities exist in key positions like first five-eighths, fullback, blindside flanker, lock, and halfback, with several positions opening up after the departure of veteran players following the previous year’s World Cup.
Robertson expressed optimism about the emergence of young talents to fill the void left by experienced players, particularly in positions like lock and halfback. Despite the departure of iconic figures like Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, and Aaron Smith, the team is excited about the prospect of nurturing skilled and passionate individuals to step up.
Christopher Reive, a versatile member of the Herald sports team since 2017, brings his adaptability to sports coverage, mirroring his diverse sports viewing preferences.
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