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Watch: Will Jordan ‘brilliance’ sets up opening try against Boks
The All Blacks looked like a team possessed during the opening 10 minutes of their Rugby Championship clash on Saturday, but one player stole the show.
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Before the opening whistle, the New Zealanders issued their challenge with a spinetingling rendition of Kapa o Pango. The haka was passionate, intense and captivating, and set the tone for the Test.
Led by captain Same Cane, the All Blacks appeared ready – and that proved true early on.
From minute one, the hosts were playing a thrilling style of play. The All Blacks haven’t looked that good in quite some time.
But out of the players in black, one superstar was especially bright.
Electric winger Will Jordan, who was playing his first Test match of the year after missing out on the trip to Argentina, had a few game-breaking carries early on.
Every time he touched the ball, it looked like something was about to happen.
Eventually, that proved true.
Just over four minutes into the match, and on the ninth phase of the All Blacks’ attacking onslaught, Jordan caught the ball over on the right edge.
After receiving an ambitious cut-out pass from fullback Beauden Barrett, Jordan attempted to beat Springboks defender Willie le Roux with sheer pace.
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But after being taken to the ground with a desperate tackle, Jordan had just enough time to release the ball and have another go. That was a stroke of genius.
Jordan got right back up and beat two South African defenders, including inside centre Damian de Allende, before running deep into the visitors’ 22.
The fullback then set up veteran Aaron Smith for the All Blacks’ opener with a simple draw and pass.
Will Jordan & Aaron Smith, you beautiful men 😍#NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/A5ozZ3UEQy
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 15, 2023
In the background of a replay, you could see Jordan and Beauden Barrett celebrating the effort. As Sky Sport NZ commentator Grant Nisbell said, it was a moment of “brilliance” from the Crusaders’ outside back.
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The score in the 5th minute sent the Auckland crowd into a frenzy, and there was more to come.
By the 20-minute mark, the All Blacks had raced out to a 17-nil lead.
Following a successful penalty goal attempt from flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, rampaging flanker Shannon Frizell ran over le Roux for the New Zealanders’ second try of the night.
Again, the All Blacks haven’t looked that good in quite some time.
Comments on RugbyPass
Joe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
9 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
9 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
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