All Blacks v Springboks: Will Jordan misses training, under a cloud for Ellis Park test

All Blacks tryscoring machine Will Jordan’s participation in the second Rugby Championship test against the Springboks is in doubt after he missed Tuesday training due to illness.

The right wing in Sunday’s defeat in Mbombela was absent from the team’s first major hitout of the week in Johannesburg with what team management described as a stomach bug. Both the media manager and skipper Sam Cane said the illness was “mild” and were hopeful the 24-year-old would return to training on Thursday.

If Jordan was to miss Sunday’s (3am NZT) Rugby Championship rematch at Ellis Park, it would be a major blow, with incumbent fullback Jordie Barrett also under a cloud with an ankle injury. Critics have been calling for the Crusaders star to get a crack in his favoured No 15 position, and the second Boks matchup could present that opportunity.

Both the backline Barrett brothers participated in Tuesday’s training in brilliantly fine conditions at St David’s Marist school in central Johannesburg, after Beauden (neck) and Jordie (ankle) picked up knocks in last weekend’s 26-10 defeat at Mbombela Stadium – the All Blacks’ fifth defeat from their past six tests, and their heaviest against the Boks in the republic in 94 years.

Beauden looked to be moving freely after making a remarkable recovery from the nasty spill he took in the 75th minute of the Rugby Championship opener when he was taken illegally in the air by Boks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse. The South Africa speedster was red-carded (whilst being taken off the field in a medi-cart) and later received a four-week suspension for his kamikaze-style play that flipped the All Blacks No 10 on to his neck.

Jordie appeared to take a full part in training, though the media were kept well away until the final skills component. He looked to be moving freely enough at that point, but was notably not doing much in the way of kicking.

He also did not take part in the kickers’ session at the end, and boarded the bus back to the hotel with the rest of the squad at that stage.

Cane, under immense pressure to lead an All Blacks’ response to a horror run of results and performances, said even he had been surprised by how well both bounced back, especially Beauden after the reckless challenge from Arendse.

“I think I’m speaking on behalf of everyone … it was pretty frightening to see,” he said of his No 10’s horrible landing. “It was nasty – almost as bad as it gets. I don’t know what Beaudy is made of. He’s a rubber band man. I know it gave him a bit of a fright as well, and Jordie was having a bit of trouble with the ankle, but they’re tough boys.”

Cane also toed a diplomatic line over the four-week suspension handed out to the Boks wing for a challenge that could have resulted in serious injury, saying he had no problem with it.

“I read it, realised he wouldn’t be playing this weekend, and wasn’t too worried about anything else.”

Cane, though, indicated he was not concerned by Jordan’s Tuesday absence. “I don’t think he’s too bad. He’s just got a mild stomach issue. He was at the gym yesterday afternoon, so it can’t be too bad.”

The All Blacks’ back three for Ellis Park remains a tricky proposition to pick with the clouds over Jordan and Jordie Barrett. It could mean a selection reprieve at No 14 for Sevu Reece, with Beauden Barrett also a possibility to move back to fullback if required. Leicester Fainga‘anuku would be the other contender.

Jordan has 19 tries from 16 tests but didn’t cross the chalk in a quiet night for the speedster in Mbombela.

Jordie Barrett has been the preferred All Blacks fullback for the past two seasons, while Caleb Clarke made a promising return from a stint playing sevens and then a hamstring injury to slot back on to the left wing.

Embattled coach Ian Foster will announce his lineup on Thursday night (NZT), with changes sure to be on the menu in what is widely predicted to be the head coach’s final test in charge.