New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has admitted star outside back Will Jordan is "not quite right" ahead of the first Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg later this month. The 28-year-old has been battling a back injury that has ruled him out of all three tour matches to date, including Saturday's clash with the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria.
Rennie revealed Jordan was initially pencilled in to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban on Tuesday, where the All Blacks ran out 54-0 winners, but failed to recover in time. The coach also confirmed utility back Damian McKenzie injured his ankle in that fixture and departed in the first half, while scrumhalf Cam Roigard withdrew with a tight calf. "We're pretty confident he will be ready for the first Test," Rennie said of Roigard, who was due to feature off the bench against the Sharks. Jordan, who last appeared for New Zealand against Ireland in July's Nations Championship, has been restricted to training as the All Blacks look to have him fit for the 22 August opener at Ellis Park. Rennie said the plan is to give Jordan "a decent training week" before making a final call on his availability. The wing moved ahead of Doug Howlett on New Zealand's all-time Test try-scorer's list during the Nations Championship and would be a certainty in the starting line-up if declared fit.