All Blacks manager Ian Foster said on Sunday his staff would continue to monitor Will Jordan’s migraines after the winger’s dazzling performance against South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who can also play at full-back, impressed in New Zealand’s 35-20 victory over the reigning world champions Springboks on Saturday, scoring his 22nd try in as many Tests- matches.
It was Jordan’s first meeting for New Zealand since September 2022, when migraines and dizziness forced him to forgo the team’s tour of the northern hemisphere. After the victory, Foster revealed that Jordan had “taken steps” to manage his health and that team management “will continue to listen to him” ahead of the World Cup (September 8-October 20). ).
Jordan was rested for the All Blacks’ opening Rugby Championship game against Argentina in Mendoza but was reinstated in the squad that played against South Africa in Auckland. “One of the things we didn’t want to put him through was a lot of overseas travel,” Foster explained.
The manager said that putting him out “was a chance for us to allow him to breathe a bit and then come back to the Testing scene in an easy way”.
Jordan assured his side that he did not expect migraines to derail his World Cup, where New Zealand are in Pool A alongside Italy, Uruguay, Namibia and France, the host country. “There’s not really a problem on the pitch, it’s just about dealing with day-to-day things,” said the Crusaders star. “I am confident in my ability to be part of the group, week after week”.
In a good position to win the Rugby Championship, reduced this year to three days instead of six for the World Cup, New Zealand faces a team from Australia without victory in Melbourne on July 29.