Will Jordan scores record 50th try as All Blacks rout Italy 47-17 in Nations Championship
The 28-year-old winger touched down three times at Wellington Regional Stadium to surpass Doug Howlett's mark of 49 tries in just his 56th Test appearance.
Record night in Wellington
Will Jordan became New Zealand's all-time leading try-scorer with a hat-trick as the All Blacks overwhelmed Italy 47-17 in the Nations Championship on Saturday. Jordan's three tries took his tally to 50 in 56 Tests, moving him one ahead of Doug Howlett's previous record. The 28-year-old touched down once in the first half and twice in three minutes after the interval at Wellington Regional Stadium.
It's special. I think back to when I was a kid, practising my chip-and-chase in the back yard. To think I'd be here today, it's hugely humbling.
Jordan, deployed on the right wing under new coach Dave Rennie rather than at fullback, had already scored a double against France in Christchurch a week earlier. His record-breaking third try came in the 54th minute, triggering a standing ovation from the crowd. Jordie Barrett provided assists for all three of Jordan's scores.
How the match unfolded
Italy started brightly and opened the scoring through Tommaso Menoncello in the second minute. The All Blacks responded emphatically, with Sam Darry and Cam Roigard crossing early in each half. Jordan's first try arrived on the half-hour mark after a Jordie Barrett grubber kick found Leroy Carter, who dished off for the finish.
- Tommaso Menoncello opens the scoring for Italy
- Will Jordan scores his first try after a Jordie Barrett grubber kick
- Sam Darry and Cam Roigard also cross for the All Blacks
- Niccolo Cannone sent off for head-butting; yellow card upgraded to red
- Jordan completes hat-trick and claims the All Blacks try-scoring record
- Leonardo Marin scores Italy's second try
- Tupou Vaa'i barges over for New Zealand's seventh try
The contest turned decisively in the 52nd minute when Italian lock Niccolo Cannone was dismissed for head-butting Cameron Roigard at a ruck. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but the Television Match Official upgraded it to red, leaving Italy undermanned while trailing 26-10. Ethan de Groot and Tupou Vaa'i added further tries, with Vaa'i barging over after the final siren to complete the seven-tries-to-two rout. Leonardo Marin scored Italy's second try in the 58th minute.
Rennie's perfect start
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie now has back-to-back wins in his first two matches in charge. His side edged France 34-32 in the Nations Championship opener in Christchurch a week ago before this more comfortable victory. Italy, by contrast, have begun the tournament with an 0-2 record after also losing 27-10 to Japan last week.
A milestone in context
Jordan's 50 tries in 56 Tests places him among the most prolific finishers in international rugby. Japan's Daisuke Ohata holds the all-time Test record with 69 tries, though some of those scores came in matches with disputed Test status. South Africa's Bryan Habana registered 67 tries in 124 caps. Within the All Blacks setup, a series of players including Joe Rokocoko and Julian Savea (both on 46 tries) had threatened Howlett's record over the past two decades without breaking it. Beauden Barrett currently sits on 45 tries.
I've been a part of some great teams over the last seven years and in turn I hope I've inspired a few kids to practise their chip-and-chase in the backyard and dream big.
Debut and what's next
Loose forward Anton Segner became the first German-born All Black when he took the field in the second half, with his parents travelling from Frankfurt to watch his Test debut. The Nations Championship continues with New Zealand carrying momentum from two opening wins and Italy searching for a first victory.
