Will Jordan reacts to breaking All Blacks' all-time try-scoring record

Doug Howlett’s long-standing record of 49 tries for the All Blacks has fallen, with a hat-trick to Will Jordan against Italy pushing his career tally to 50.

After a two-try performance against France saw Jordan overtake Joe Rokocoko, Julian Savea and Christian Cullen, the record came into view, with just Howlett standing between the man they call ‘The Ferrari’ and rugby immortality.

A Jordie Barret grubber in the 29th minute was collected by Leroy Carter, who in turn offloaded to Jordan for his first five-pointer of the night. The second and third tries were scored just three minutes apart, with Barrett again delivering the linebreak assist before debutant Josh Moorby found Jordan inside him to finish the play. Then, a quick tap from Ruben Love saw Barrett deliver the cut-out ball for Jordan, who scored in the corner.

“It was pretty crazy feeling the crowd, and the boys mobbing in,” Jordan told reporters after the final whistle. “These are some of my best mates and guys I’ve played a lot of rugby with. I certainly felt the love from the crowd and the boys as well. A moment I’ll remember forever.”

The names Jordan has overtaken in his rise up the try-scoring charts include some of the most iconic in the sport’s history, with Howlett now sitting No.2, Rokocoko, Savea and Cullen third, Beauden Barrett fourth, and Jonah Lomu’s 37 tries sitting even further down the list.

“That’s the bit that humbles me the most,” Jordan said when asked about the list he now leads. “They’re the who’s who of All Blacks back three players, so watching them when I was younger, or seeing highlights of those older guys, it’s crazy.

“I guess I don’t see myself in that realm yet, certainly not all is said and done, but it’s special being amongst those names.”

Of the 50 ‘meat pies’ now in the bag, the 28-year-old says two stand out.

“The most I’ve ever felt the crowd behind me was probably here (Wellington) against the Irish in 2022, off the inside ball from Ardie (Savea). The other one is probably the quarter-final try against the Irish as well.”

Jordan said he had started to think about the record as it approached over the past 12 months, and knew he had five to get when he began the Test season two weeks ago. The Crusaders star admitted he’d surprised himself by how quickly he closed that gap, with Dave Rennie’s ‘optimistic’ style of play credited for his hot start to the new campaign.

Jordan added: “I’m grateful to be on the end of a chain of great teams and great players. I’m certainly well aware that with that try scoring comes that work on the inside.”

Having played fullback for the past two Test seasons, Jordan said his return to the wing comes as he’s “matured” into having less of a preference between the two positions.

“I certainly feel like I’m capable of playing both to a world-class level and whatever the role is that the team needs, that’s what it is. As a winger, you get a few more tries, so it’s cool to be there the last couple of weeks.”

To cap his historic evening, Jordan ended the game as All Blacks captain, taking over for Ardie Savea when the flanker left the field in the 65th minute.

He said it was special to reflect on how far he’s come since first picking up a rugby ball.

“I guess, thinking about it as a kid in the backyard, practising the chip and chase, just loving the game, it’s cool to be here now, and I guess I hope I’ve inspired a few kids to dream big and do the same.”