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'The spark, the X-factor I felt missing' - The two-try cameo off the bench which has Caleb Clarke under pressure
Following back-to-back losses, the All Blacks have responded to criticism in a big way by beating Los Pumas 38-0 in Newcastle on Saturday night.
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In their first meeting since their shock loss to the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks appeared on top from the get-go, eventually crossing for the opening score through Dane Coles 13 minutes in. But other than that, they weren’t able to take complete advantage of having 74% of possession, leading by just 10-points to nil at the break.
The All Blacks came out of the sheds for the second-half showing plenty of intent though, with Number Eight Ardie Savea coming within mere metres of scoring on two occasions, before he finally crossed with his third attempted 12 minutes into the half.
But 17-0 was how the scores remained until up-and-comer Will Jordan was subbed on with just under 15 minutes to play. In just his second test appearance, the 22-year-old scored two runaway tries in three minutes.
? 15 minutes
? 2 tries
? 125 run metres
?? 3 clean breaksAfter a sensational Super Rugby competition, Will Jordan announces himself on the international stage with a memorable cameo off the bench ??#TriNations pic.twitter.com/xZMzEB7mkS
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) November 28, 2020
He finished the night with the most metres run of any player with 125 from four carries, in a performance which well and truly turned heads on social media. Jordan had already made a name for himself in New Zealand, having starred for Tasman in last year’s Mitre 10 Cup, for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Aotearoa this year, and he came off the bench to score the winning try in the North vs South clash in August.
One fan on Twitter said that Jordan is set to be a “superstar” on the test rugby scene while another described him as “the Artful Dodger” following his cameo off the bench.
Things learnt this morning:
1. Will Jordan is going to be a superstar in international rugby.
— Rob Shotton (@Rob15Shotton) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan stepping in and treating international rugby the same as Super Rugby kids going to be special be amazing all season the for Crusaders ?? #AllBlacks #ARGvNZL
— Adam Logan (@adamlogan93) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan picks a pocket or two…
The Artful Dodger indeed.#NZLvARG#TriNations2020 pic.twitter.com/tqqtRrWGef— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan for man of the match! Thats the tweet. #NZLvARG #TriNations2020
— RJ (@exterminate67) November 28, 2020
Imagine the score had Will Jordan been on all game ?? #NZLvARG
— Nat (@natmorrisnz) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan has done it all year. Knows his way to the try line. #NZLvARG
— Anthony Momoemausu (@AnthonyUsu1) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan is the try machine always in the right place at the right time. class act. The spark, the X-factor I felt missing. #NZLvARG
— Eric (@er_icc) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan’s speed is just amazing to watch! ???? ? ???? #TriNations2020 #NZLvARG #AllBlacks
— Jack Hodge (@JHodge1203) November 28, 2020
Caleb Clarke demolishes so Will Jordan can stroll. #TriNations2020
— Phumlani Pikoli (@scoutgumbee) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan is try machine always in the right place at the right time you can’t teach that class act #NZLvARG
— jordan saunders (@saundersrhys180) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan looks exceptional #AllBlacks #NZLvARG
— M RAVEL (@MMayurravel) November 28, 2020
Must be soul destroying having worn yourself out defending Caleb Clarke all game to see Will Jordan come on ?
— Sam (@sami_sp) November 28, 2020
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Saturday’s test also goes to show just how much pressure and scrutiny is put on All Blacks’ every week, with many fans calling for Jordan to replace another exciting prospect in Caleb Clarke.
After missing the first test against the Pumas, Ioane injected some fire into the All Blacks pack. #NZLvARG #TriNations https://t.co/I1PA1E8CIA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2020
Clarke was compared to the late Jonah Lomu for his performance in Bledisloe II in Auckland where he ran riot before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd when he was replaced in the 68th minute.
On Saturday, the 21-year-old once again stood out for his rampaging runs, finishing with 84 run metres from a game-high 13 carries, but it still wasn’t enough to steer clear of criticism.
Will Jordan > every other person at wing or fullback #NZLvARG
— Hated By Jealousy (@Jack_Atchinson) November 28, 2020
Will Jordan more impressive off the bench than Clarke from three starts. #TriNations2020 #NZLvARG
— Rumple Spilskind (@justus_beets) November 28, 2020
Ten minutes of Will Jordan has eclipsed a whole tournament of Caleb Clarke….. #NZLvARG
— Cornflake (@CornflakeBTP) November 28, 2020
How does Caleb Clarke get in this all blacks team over Will Jordan? Absolutely no idea! #NZLvARG
— JeddOwen (@JeddOwen) November 28, 2020
But Jordan will have to wait until next year to cement his spot in the black jersey, with the win being the All Blacks’ last test match of the year.
Now sitting five competition points clear at the top of the Tri Nations standings though, they’ve all but secured the title as they prepare to head back to New Zealand to begin two weeks of quarantine. The Pumas would need to beat the Wallabies by 93 points while the tournament’s hosts would have to win by 101 when they face in the competitions final round in Sydney next weekend.
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments