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An All Blacks hopeful from a family of Springboks makes his Super Rugby debut
Hurricanes rookie Jordi Viljoen’s upbringing is a who’s who of rugby’s biggest names and teams.
Having missed selection in the team’s official squad for the 2024 season, the 20-year-old was thrust into the starting unit for the opening round as Cam Roigard returned from injury off the bench.
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It will likely be back to regularly scheduled programming when the team’s halfback stocks are healthy, but having impressed in his pre-season minutes and scored a try on debut, Viljoen’s future looks bright.
“A lot of joy and happy emotion getting to run out for my first time,” The youngster told RNZ. “Starting as well, you never really expect it on debut and just super grateful.
“Very special for my family, especially Dad playing for the same club. Everyone stayed up late to watch the game, so super happy.”
In addition to donning the Hurricanes yellow, Jordi’s dad, Joggie Viljoen, also made three appearances in Springboks colours, following in the footsteps of his father Joggie Viljoen Snr.
The Viljoen family continues to produce class halfbacks, but also surround themselves with the world’s best.
At the Hurricanes Jordi has Roigard and TJ Perenara to learn from, but through his dad’s time at Manawatu, he knows another All Black great.
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“I always had a really good family connection with Aaron Smith.
“When Nuggy (Smith) was at Fielding Ag [Fielding High School] and Manawat? my dad would take him for training and we were really close with their family and we have a personal bond.”
With all these influences on his game, the recent New Zealand U20 product is conscious of absorbing knowledge while embracing his individuality.
“I just try and bring my own style to the game and don’t try and be anyone else. I just want to be the best version of myself.
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“Having that connection with Aaron Smith and now being in the environment with TJ and Cam and seeing those players and having those connections, you just start to develop.”
With tight connections to both of the world’s most successful rugby nations, Jordi’s international dream is clear.
“100 per cent I’d love to play for the All Blacks, it’s been a dream ever since moving here. New Zealand has given me a lot and all the opportunities in terms of rugby and living a safe and happy life.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to comments