Will Jordan on the ‘important’ aerial duel with Barrett’s kicking game

Will Jordan was one of the standouts on Friday night as the Crusaders secured their place in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, with the fullback scoring two tries in the 21-14 win over the Blues at Apollo Projects Stadium.

After spending a decent stint on the sidelines, Jordan returned for the Crusaders in their triumph over the Queensland Reds last week. Jordan was impressive in that qualifying final win, and the All Black backed that up with another top performance in the semis.

Jordan scored a crucial try just before the half-time break, which helped level the scores at 14-all, and the fullback wasn’t done there. No points were scored for almost 30 minutes during the second half before Jordan dove over for another try in the 69^th minute.

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With the Crusaders leading and time running out, the Blues gave it absolutely everything in the dying stages of this dramatic semi-final battle, but the home side hung on – extending their perfect playoff home record to 31-0.

Jordan finished with the most carries out of any player, for a total of 36 running metres, and the fullback was also solid under the high ball. With Barrett and Zarn Sullivan sending plenty of kicks towards Jordan, the Crusader’s composure under the high ball was key.

“Just tried to get involved,” Jordan said post-game on Sky Sport.

“I felt like it was going to be pretty important to go well in the air tonight. Obviously, Beaudy’s [Barrett] been playing really well with his kicking game.

“Wanted to dominate that area, thought I did that well and a couple of good back three finishes about a metre out. Pleased with the effort from the full squad.”

Before Jordan’s first try, the Blues had raced out to a commanding 14-nil lead, with All Blacks Mark Tele’a and Rieko Ioane scoring a try each. Tele’a crossed in the corner, before Ioane became the Blues’ all-time top try-scorer with an effort midway through the half.

But the Crusaders responded almost immediately, with Tom Christie getting the home side on the scoreboard three minutes after Ioane’s effort. The match’s momentum swung in the Crusaders’ favour, which set the stage for Jordan’s first.

“We just had to smile and accept that there’s a game here tonight,” Jordan explained when asked about the Blues’ red-hot start.

“We knew the Blues weren’t going to come down here and give it to us easy.

“Finals footy, you find yourself in a bit of adversity, that’s when you’ve just got to take a step forwards, embrace it. I thought Davey [Havili] did a great job of leading that.

“Our pack got us back into it with a few penalties. I thought we played the game really smartly in that last 20, 30 minutes.”

Fast-forward to the end of the match, and the Crusaders were left defending desperately on their own try line. The Blues were awarded a couple of penalties and came within a couple metres of the try line, but the Crusaders’ defensive wall stood tall.

The Blues unleashed 38 phases of attacking pressure before the whistle was blown, with the Crusaders giving away a penalty. The hosts braced for more pressure moments and managed to hang on – meaning they’ll host the big dance, either against the Chiefs or Brumbies.

“That’s just pride for me. I was sitting out on the edge yelling, communicating as much as I could. Some boys must have made 10, 15 tackles just in that five, 10 minutes,” he reflected.

“The Blues threw everything at us, hell of a side, champions, showed that tonight. Just managed to hold out.”