Roigard and Jordan ready for first Test

Returning halfback All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard said it was a great opportunity to play the Springboks at home at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, in the first Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, something he missed out on in 2024 and 2025 because of injuries.

It will be Roigard’s first of his 20 Tests on South African soil.

“I’ve been waiting a few years for this opportunity, and I’m hoping to be able to take that on Saturday.

“I’m excited and that’s the feeling around the whole camp.”

Roigard said he is confident the calf issue is resolved.

“I’ve had a good week so far and it’s been feeling mint, no issues.”

Roigard said at the start of the season he would have felt it was unlikely he would be playing at Test at Ellis Park with fellow Hurricane Josh Moorby.

“He went to France for a year and has come back with a lot of energy, and he’s a student of the game who is always trying to get better. The Hurricanes’ attack was pretty good this year, and it’s probably similar in a lot of ways to how we want to play here in the All Blacks. So, it suits him.

“His work ethic off the ball is immense. His anticipation of play- he’s a bit like Will [Jordan], who can pop out of nowhere; whether it’s a try or a line break, he’s there for a second touch, is world-class.

“It’s been cool to see him come in and be himself but then still trying to get better.”

Wing Will Jordan said his back is feeling good and he is feeling confident heading into the Test.

“Unfortunately, I’m getting used to coming in reasonably fresh off injury into Test matches.”

Jordan said he felt the All Blacks built well during the July Nations series under new coach Rennie.

“So, for me coming back, I’m enjoying the combinations that we’ve built, particularly in the backline over that time. We get a chance to go out there with those guys again, and as a group we are growing.

“With the way we’re looking to play, we got a few opportunities with the ball in July, and there’ll be times where we’ll get that opportunity and times when we have to throw the sleeves up and do a bit of dirty work as well. It’s a bit Test this week and we’re looking forward to the challenge it will provide.”

He said many of the changes they have developed from the previous seasons have been tweaks, although the work they’ve done around the counter and turnover ball has probably been the biggest shift they have made.

“In July, we started to find the balance of that a bit more with our kicking game and how a kicking game can set up our running game. Hopefully, we some good conditions on Saturday, we’ll get a chance to use the ball well.”