Fresh from his return to Super Rugby Pacific with the Crusaders, Will Jordan is being tipped to fill the All Blacks' fullback jersey.
Jordan was a standout for the Crusaders in their 48-13 victory over Western Force on Saturday night, making his comeback after more than eight months out of action with an inner ear vestibular issue.
In 56 minutes, Jordan set up two tries, as part of nine runs for 137 metres, throwing one offload, beating five defenders and making two line breaks. On defence, Jordan won one turnover, to go with two tackles made.
What's more the 25-year-old's comeback in the No.15 jersey answers a vital question for the All Blacks, as they build towards the Rugby World Cup later this year.
Jordie Barrett's move into midfield, and Damian McKenzie's success in the No.10 jersey leaves a lack of genuine contenders to play fullback for New Zealand in 2023, with the uncapped Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs the standout - albeit with no test experience.
Beauden Barrett is another option to wear No.15 for the All Blacks this year, but like McKenzie has seen most of his minutes come at first-five, and was a late withdrawal from the Blues' win over Moana Pasifika after being named at fullback.
Admittedly, a shift would also be asking more of Jordan, whose success in the black jersey has come on the wing - scoring 21 tries in 21 tests and winning World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year award in 2021.
As a player who had to balance his own fullback ambitions to play on the wing for the All Blacks, Jeff Wilson understands Jordan's predicament more than most.
In the past, Wilson has urged Jordan to shelve any ambition of being a test fullback, and concentrate solely on being the best winger in the world.
But with such a glaring hole at the back, Wilson asserted on Sky Sport's The Breakdown that the No.15 jersey should belong to one man alone.
"He wasn't hesitant at one stage or at any stage during that game," said Wilson. "He took contact like he's taken contact before.
"He looked as though he was confident, he understood his role, he looked like a fullback.
"All of a sudden, I write down another name and go 'come on mate, just one more week, one more week'.
"He's an All Black fullback."
On top of Jordan's return against the Force, Wilson added his presence at the back for Scott Robertson's side could turn them into Super Rugby contenders.
After 10 games, the Crusaders sit fourth on the ladder, with seven wins and three defeats.
In search of a seventh title in seven years, the Crusaders have already been bested by the Chiefs - twice - and once by Fijian Drua.
But with Jordan fit and firing again, it would be brave to bet against the Crusaders entering the pointy end of the season.
"The Crusaders' chances have significantly improved with him on the field," Wilson said.
"If he stays healthy, he stays fit, playing fullback for that side, their chances of winning are better than they've been all season."
