By Mohamed Bahaa

As the All Blacks prepare for the Rugby Championship, head coach Scott Robertson has hinted at a potential return for star player Will Jordan. Following the completion of the series against England and Fiji in July, the All Blacks’ coaching team will meet at the New Zealand Innovation and Sport Campus (NZCIS) in Wellington. On Sunday, they will announce a 36-man squad for the upcoming championship.

Initially, the England squad for the series consisted of 32 players, supplemented by eight additional players to form an expanded squad. Among these new arrivals, several were given their All Blacks debuts in the matches against Fiji.

Robertson addressed the ongoing negotiations between selectors over the extra positions available in the squad. “We are looking at the mix of positions we need to strengthen,” he explained. “It could be an additional front-row player, a free forward or a key player. Those are the areas we are focusing on at the moment and we are also looking at versatile defenders who can cover more than one position.”

Without specifically naming any players, Robertson hinted that one player who has recovered from injury could be returning. One player who fits that profile is Will Jordan, who has been out since the World Cup final last November. Jordan underwent surgery earlier this year to repair a long-standing shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire Super Rugby Pacific season. However, he has made a successful recovery and trained with the All Blacks in the July series.

The All Blacks face significant challenges at midfield with Cortez Ratima the latest addition to the injury list. The team has seen Cam Roigard sidelined for the entire Super Rugby season and TJ Perenara suffered a knee injury in the first Test against England.

Robertson’s strategic squad adjustments and the potential inclusion of returning players such as Jordan highlight the team’s adaptable approach as they deal with injuries and prepare for the crucial Rugby Championship. The upcoming squad announcement will be crucial as the All Blacks aim to build a balanced and solid team to meet the upcoming challenges.