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Will Jordan returns to All Blacks lineup after extended injury layoff
Logan Swinkels • August 8th, 2024 11:52 am
Fan favourite Will Jordan last wore the black jersey during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final loss to South Africa. His on-going battle against a vestibular condition also ruled out the exciting outside back for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
But Jordan is back; the 31-test All Black has been named on the bench as part of Scott Robertson's side to face Argentina on Saturday.
The loose forward trio sees Ethan Blackadder switch from the openside he played in San Diego against Fiji, to blindside, making way for Dalton Papali'i, while Ardie Savea rounds out the forward pack at No. 8.
With Scott Barrett resting a finger injury, Savea will also wear the captain's armband for the test match at Sky Stadium. The injuries to their locking stocks don't stop there with Patrick Tuipulotu also out, paving the way for young Blues lock Sam Darry to make his first start.
Darry has largely impressed the All Blacks coaching staff with his commitment and attitude during training - those efforts saw the 24-year-old play twenty minutes off the bench in his debut versus Fiji last month.
In the midfield, Rieko Ioane has been shifted to the reserves to make way for Anton Lienert-Brown in the starting lineup. Together with Jordan, Ioane is poised to create some much-needed impact in the second half against a Los Pumas side that won for the first time on New Zealand soil two years ago.
TJ Perenara gets the nod at halfback in what is likely his second-to-last All Blacks appearance at his home ground, with the big sendoff scheduled for September 28 vs Australia.
All Blacks matchday 23 vs Argentina
Starting: 15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Sevu Reece, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Mark Tele'a, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Sam Darry, 4. Tupou Vaa'i, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Will Jordan.
