Will Jordan (rugby union)

Will Jordan
Will Jordan playing for New Zealand against Italy in 2024
Full nameWilliam Thomas Jordan
Born (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight94 kg (207 lb; 14 st 11 lb)
SchoolChristchurch Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Current team Tasman, Crusaders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Tasman 34 (110)
2019– Crusaders 73 (245)
Correct as of 23 August 2026
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017 New Zealand U20 7 (45)
2020 South Island 1 (10)
2020– New Zealand 58 (265)
Correct as of 23 August 2026
Medal record
Men's rugby union
Representing  New Zealand
Rugby World Cup
Silver medal – second place2023 FranceSquad

William Thomas Jordan (born 24 February 1998) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a fullback for the Crusaders in Super Rugby,[1] Tasman in the National Provincial Championship (NPC),[2] and the New Zealand national team.[3]

Jordan began his professional career with provincial side Tasman in 2017 and was signed by the Crusaders in 2018, making his debut in 2019 after missing the previous year with injury. Jordan quickly established himself as a starting player on the back of their title winning season (2018) before becoming their first choice fullback. He made his international debut for New Zealand in 2020 and holds a try ratio of 0.91, having scored 53 tries in 58 appearances, the most of any New Zealand player. Since 2024 Jordan has been talked up by numerous figures and outlets as one of the best fullbacks in the world.[4][5][6]

Early life

Jordan attended Fendalton Open Air School, then Cobham Intermediate School, then Christchurch Boys' High School. He played as fullback for the top side, and led the UC Championship in tries scored in 2015. Jordan enrolled at the University of Canterbury in 2016 to study Law and Commerce. He completed this degree in July of 2025. [7]

Club career

After a successful school career, Jordan made his debut for the Tasman Mako in Round 1 of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup against Canterbury at Trafalgar Park in Nelson. He scored 6 tries during the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup, and was second in the tournament for clean breaks. Jordan made his debut for Super Rugby team the Crusaders in 2019 after missing the 2018 season with injury. Jordan was part of the Mako side which won the Mitre 10 Cup for the first time in 2019. He was named in the South Island squad for the North vs South rugby union match in 2020, starting in the number 14 jersey in a 38–35 win for the South.

Jordan played every minute and scored a try in the final of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season as the Crusaders won their fifth title in a row with a 24–13 win over the Chiefs. He had another outstanding 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season as the Crusaders made it six in a row with a 7–21 win over the Blues in the final.

International career

Following the Super Rugby Aotearoa season and scoring two tries in the North v South game, he was selected for the All Blacks squad for the 2020 Rugby Championship.[8]

Jordan made his All Blacks debut against Australia on 7 November 2020 in a 24–22 loss for New Zealand, becoming All Black number 1191. Jordan returned from injury for the final test of 2020 and scored 2 tries in a 38–0 win over Argentina. Jordan was again named in the All Blacks squad to play Tonga and Fiji in the July 2021 Steinlager Series.[9] In the first game of the 2021 season for the All Blacks, Jordan scored 5 tries against Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium in a 102–0 win for the side. He scored another 3 tries later in the year against the United States of America in a 14–104 win for the All Blacks.

Jordan received the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Award in 2021.[10]

On 11 July 2026, Jordan scored a hat-trick of tries in a 47–17 win against Italy in Wellington to become the highest ever try-scorer for the All Blacks,[11] bringing up his 50th try and surpassing the previous record of 49 set by Doug Howlett 19 years previously.[12]

International tries

References

  1. ↑ "Crusaders | Will Jordan". crusaders.co.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Tasman Mako | Will Jordan". mako.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Will Jordan Player Profile | Rugby World Cup". rugbyworldcup.com. World Rugby. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  4. ↑ Gifford, Phil (29 July 2024). "Is Will Jordan a wing or fullback? Major questions from All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad: Phil Gifford". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
  5. ↑ Tunney, Jack (30 December 2024). "RugbyDump's top five fullbacks of 2024". RugbyDump. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Skippers, David (17 February 2025). "Will Jordan hailed as 'a bit of a unique freak' after Crusaders' Super Rugby Pacific win over Hurricanes". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 17 February 2025.
  7. ↑ "Christchurch fullback Will Jordan scores four tries and gets Tasman Makos deal". Stuff. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  8. ↑ "Will Jordan". allblacks.com. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  9. ↑ "All Blacks squad named for Steinlager Series". allblacks.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "Rugby: All Blacks wing Will Jordan scoops World Rugby award, history made for top coach". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  11. ↑ Napier, Liam (11 July 2026). "All Blacks v Italy: Will Jordan breaks record but growing pains remain for Dave Rennie's side". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  12. ↑ Wright, Jared (11 July 2026). "50 in 56: The numbers behind Will Jordan's journey to becoming the All Blacks' greatest-ever try scorer". Planet Rugby.
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