Tasman fullback Will Jordan's in no hurry to become an All Black.
The 20-year-old exploded onto the scene during last year's Mitre 10 Cup and has gone to another level during this season's provincial rugby campaign.
Jordan possesses plenty of pace and is one of the most evasive players in the country, leading the domestic competition in metres made, third in clean breaks, fourth in defenders beaten and second only to Tevita Li, with nine tries this season.
But it wasn't long ago that the Christchurch-born product's career was in limbo.
Jordan suffered two headknocks during his first campaign with the Mako that resulted in him sitting out the entire 2018 Super Rugby season with the Crusaders.
"Obviously, it was pretty frustrating for me," Jordan told Newshub. "But I took some benefits out of just being able to learn from the older guys in the squad like Israel Dagg, David Havili and George Bridge as well."
At one stage, it wasn't clear if the former Christchurch Boys' High School star would fully recover, but Jordan remained patient, something will hold him in good stead in pursuit of an All Blacks jersey.
"You know, concussion can be a pretty scary injury, and it's been shown through Billy [Guyton] and Shane [Christie] just how quickly it can be taken away from you."
"I think I was lucky, the Crusaders and the Mako both have great medical teams, who are reassuring and got me to see the right people.
"I guess all you can do is be as patient as you can and wait for it to come right."
Watching Jordan carve up this season, you wouldn't know the concussion struggles he's been through, except for the new addition of some black headgear.
"Probably more of a confidence thing, being out for so long, it just gave me the reassurance. I don't think there's any real science behind it, just a bit of a mental thing really."
Perhaps the most telling sign of Jordan's class is that he's keeping star Chiefs fullback Solomon Alaimalo on the wing and Crusaders custodian Havili at second-five, with former All Blacks fullback and Tasman coach Leon MacDonald preferring the youngster in the 15 jersey.
With 19 extra players being taken by the All Blacks to Japan next month, plenty of pundits think Jordan deserves to go to the next level, but after what he's been through, the man himself is willing to wait.
"Obviously, having a bit of a slow year with the Super season and stuff, I'm just really enjoying being out on the field and playing.
"Hopefully, next year, I'll get a bit of involvement with the Crusaders and take it from there."
The way things are quickly progressing for Jordan, he won't have to wait long until Steve Hansen comes calling.
Newshub.
