Will Jordan makes more try-scoring history with ‘freebie’ against Ireland

Will Jordan can’t stop scoring for the All Blacks, making the most of “a freebie” in a 40-21 win over Ireland at Eden Park. Those five points now see Jordan stand alone in the history books, becoming the first New Zealander to reach the 51-try tally.

Black Ferns great Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was the first New Zealander across women’s and men’s international rugby to score 50 career tries, with the winger racing away for a historic five-pointer during the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Woodman-Wickliffe brought up the 50-try milestone in just 30 appearances at Test level, while Jordan also boasts a remarkable strike rate. The All Blacks flyer touched down for five tries across the team’s first two 2026 matches, before again getting on the scoresheet against the Irish.

Ireland had just registered their first points of the Test when, practically immediately off the kick-off, they looked to spread the ball wide. Stuart McCloskey attempted a pass to fullback Hugo Keenan, but the ball hit the deck instead.

Jordan picked up the loose ball with no defenders around him, before running in a try that had the Eden Park crowd in full voice. It was both a record-breaking try for the New Zealander, and an effort which had the All Blacks in a strong position just before the break.

“It was a little bit of a freebie, wasn’t it,” Jordan told reporters at Eden Park.

“We talked all week about presenting higher edges and trying to pressure their skill sets out the back. I thought throughout the night we were able to get turnovers from that space.

“It’s a bit of a bonus, wasn’t it? But I think good pressure from Quinn [Tupaea] forces that. Good for us edges to have some success.”

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has stuck with the combination of Jordan on one wing, with Damian McKenzie instead selected at fullback. Rennie described Jordan and McKenzi as “the two best fullbacks in the world” ahead of the team’s season opener.

Jordan played the full 80 in all three Nations Championship clashes, finishing with six tries across those fixtures. The 28-year-old scored two against France, a hat-trick in a clinical victory against Italy and then anther against Ireland.

The decision to shift Jordan from fullback to the wing has, so far, proved to be a stroke of genius from the new All Blacks coaching staff. But Jordan did get the chance to play some fullback at The Garden, after first five Ruben Love was replaced during the second term.

“It’s been a while since I played at fullback, really, having not played much footy in the backend of Super. Enjoyed going there for the last 20,” Jordan said.

“For the most part when I’m on the wing I sort of play like a fullback anyway, roaming around. A little it differently, setting up defensively.

“It was nice to get 20 minutes there and open up the legs.”

The All Blacks are 3-0 but still sit in second place on the Southern Hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship, with arch-rivals the Springboks also boasting an unbeaten record following the July international window.

Those two sides will meet in four Tests during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour, which includes one international in Baltimore, the USA. The All Blacks’ squad for that series will be named shortly, ahead of a match against the Stormers on August 7.

“I think we’re in as good as a spot as we can be.

“The boys are really connected. The boys are working up, turning up and working hard for each other which is all you can ask for.

“We’re under no illusions of what’s coming but it’s going to be great, what a tour it is to be a part of that. Looking forward to rolling our sleeves up and getting stuck into some good footy over there.”