Cam Roigard and Will Jordan are on track to play in the first Test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, but All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie remains concerned about the fitness of Damian McKenzie.
Neither halfback Roigard (tight calf) nor outside back Jordan (back niggle) has played on the “Greatest Rivalry” tour due to their injuries, with the former a late withdrawal before the victory over the Sharks in Durban.
Speaking after this morning’s 50-19 victory over the Bulls in Pretoria, Rennie said McKenzie’s ankle sprain suffered against the Sharks was improving but he was “less confident” about him.
“Both Will and Cam got through a bit of training yesterday,” Rennie said. “We’re pretty confident they’re going to be right for next week… [but] we want them to have a full week of training. They’re certainly ticking enough boxes.
“We’re probably less confident about Damian but still think he is a good chance to play… the expectation is that all three will be available.”
Roigard, the All Blacks’ best halfback, and Jordan, New Zealand’s record-breaking Test try scorer, are automatic selections for the first Test in seven days and McKenzie has grown to become a key link in Rennie’s adventurous attacking plan.
Should the little Chiefs playmaker be ruled out then Beauden Barrett, who started at fullback against the Bulls, would be an option, as would moving Jordan there from the right wing.
Josh Moorby, who scored two tries against the Bulls on the left wing this morning, is also a possibility, although he has a chance to retain his place for the first Test in the wake of Caleb Clarke’s injury-forced departure.
Rieko Ioane, who put in an energetic performance this morning, is also an option for the No.11 jersey and would bring far more experience than Moorby, who made his Test debut only last month.
One man who will not play a part against the world champions at Ellis Park is Richie Mo’unga, who has just arrived as an injury replacement for centre Billy Proctor.
“He arrived late last night very excited and jumping out of his skin,” Renie said of Mo’unga. “He’s already done a fair bit of study, and we’ll spend the next wee while getting his head around our game.
“We won’t pick him for the first Test. He’s a chance to get some game time against the Lions.”
Ruben Love will almost certainly wear the No.10 jersey, with Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea all but locked in as the starting midfielders.
Anton Segner, outstanding at openside flanker against the Bulls, is pressing his case for a start in the first Test, with No.8 Peter Lakai not far behind him. Ardie Savea will make his return as one of the starting loose forwards, with Luke Jacobson also likely to start.
“Those guys are applying a lot of pressure,” Rennie said of Segner and Lakai.
Rennie enjoyed watching the All Blacks’ improved set piece and discipline against the Bulls, but he felt they lacked a clinical edge at times and he was not enamoured at wing Leroy Carter’s actions when scoring his first of two tries.
Carter almost stepped out of play beyond the corner flag when scoring the try which put the All Blacks up 29-7.
“I’d like him to dive a little earlier next time and score just on the line rather than two metres over it,” Rennie said.
For hooker Codie Taylor, back from injury and leading the All Blacks for the first time, the early scrum penalty earned by the pack 5m from their tryline was a highlight.
Taylor, who played only the first half, as planned, said: “From where we started against the Stormers and how we’ve built through these three club games I feel like we’ve made some great strides as a forward pack.
“By no means are we the finished product - there’s going to be so much more to work on and it’s going to be even tougher next week.”
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