Will Jordan opens up on breaking All Blacks’ try-scoring record: ‘A moment I’ll remember forever’
Will Jordan is the All Blacks' new try-scoring record holder.
After becoming the All Blacks’ leading try-scorer in Test rugby, Will Jordan has revealed that he is “humbled” by his momentous achievement.
He moved ahead of Doug Howlett on New Zealand’s all-time Test try-scorer’s list when he crossed for a hat-trick of five-pointers during the All Blacks’ 47-17 Nations Championship win in Wellington on Saturday.
As expected there was wild celebrations in the All Blacks’ ranks when the 28-year-old ran onto a perfectly-weighted skip pass from Jordie Barrett before scoring his third try in the 54th minute.
“It was pretty crazy feeling the crowd, and the boys mobbing in,” Jordan told reporters after the match. “These are some of my best mates and guys I’ve played a lot of rugby with.
‘Felt the love from the crowd and the boys’
“I certainly felt the love from the crowd and the boys as well.
“A moment I’ll remember forever.”
Jordan’s record of 50 tries was achieved from 56 Test appearances and he revealed that there are two of those scores which stand out for him.
“The most I’ve ever felt the crowd behind me was probably here (Wellington) against the Irish in 2022, off the inside ball from Ardie (Savea),” he said.
“The other one is probably the quarter-final try against the Irish as well.”
Has been thinking about the record
He admitted that he has been thinking about the record over the past 12 months and was aware that he only needed five during the Test campaign to surpass Howlett’s mark.
He credits the All Blacks’ expansive style under new head coach Dave Rennie for securing the record during the early stages of the season.
“I’m grateful to be on the end of a chain of great teams and great players. I’m certainly well aware that with that try scoring comes that work on the inside,” he said.
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Although he has played on the right wing in both of the All Blacks’ Tests so far this year, Jordan has been New Zealand’s first choice full-back in recent years.
He said he is happy to represent his country in either position.
“I certainly feel like I’m capable of playing both to a world-class level and whatever the role is that the team needs, that’s what it is,” he added.
“As a winger, you get a few more tries, so it’s cool to be there the last couple of weeks.”
