The All Blacks will open their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina next Sunday without two Crusaders stars, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Will Jordan.
New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that Fainga’anuku is nursing a calf injury while Jordan is said to be managing a “migrainous condition”.
Coach Ian Foster says the decision to withdraw Jordan was more of a precautionary measure that is put in place with the bigger picture of 2023 in mind.
While their absence is a blow, it could open the door for uncapped Chiefs standout Shaun Stevenson to make his international debut against the Pumas.
Despite his sensational form for the Chiefs, Stevenson was left out of the original All Blacks squad, only included as an injury replacement for Mark Telea.
The All Blacks will take on Argentina at 7.10am next Sunday.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
