Nations Championship: Will Jordan closes in on All Blacks try-scoring record as Italy loom
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Will Jordan only needs a sniff to help himself to five points in a rugby test. That much has been proven time and again over a remarkable All Blacks career that has the free-scoring back-three utility on the verge of something very special indeed.
After his crisply taken two-try effort against France in Christchurch on Saturday night, taking his tally to 47 in 55 tests, and just two behind All Blacks record-holder Doug Howlett, it seems only Dave Rennie can halt the Jordan express from steaming to a slice of history, possibly as soon as Saturday night’s Nations Championship clash against Italy in Wellington.
If Jordan is handed another run-on appearance for the All Blacks against a side that just shipped 27 points to Japan in Tokyo, he could find himself alongside Howlett, or even past him, in a whirl of All Blacks “optimism”. Rennie’s new proactive attacking philosophy, of course, suits this try-scoring master to a tee.
It might be he gets a rest this week to allow him an extra run-in to the blockbuster clash against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday week, or it could be that Rennie decides time on the field is just what this fellow needs after missing the back-end of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby campaign with a calf problem. Both courses of action are in play.
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Given he’s equally adept at fullback or wing, where he played on Saturday night in Christchurch, there’s certainly room for manoeuvre for the new All Blacks coach who could shift the 28-year-old back to the No 15 jersey where so many believe he plays his best footy.
That said, he’s also a heck of a wing, and, if anything, his finishing ability is showcased even better at the end of the chain where he inevitably gets rewarded for the creativity of those inside. On Saturday night he finished well in the right corner after skipper Ardie Savea seized the moment with a quick tap, and in the second spell was the beneficiary of an outstanding couter-ruck from Billy Proctor and Ruben Love, and a brilliant offload from Luke Jacobson.
It’s going to be interesting to see Rennie’s selection philosophy this week as he weighs the temptation to take a look right across his squad with the benefits of continuity this early in the process. It’s likely he strikes a ground somewhere in the middle, giving a few fresh faces a chance to impress, while also retaining some key combinations around the field.
One thing that is beyond debate is Jordan’s position already as one of the great finishers in All Blacks history. His hit-rate of 0.85 tries a test is right up there alongside Julian Savea, who scored 46 in 54 before his career came to a shuddering halt.
That compares favourably with great finishers such as Christian Cullen (46 in 58 at 0.79), Howlett (49 in 62 at 0.75) and Joe Rokocoko (46 in 68 at 0.68), and shades the great Jonah Lomu whose 37 tries in 63 tests came at a hit-rate of just 0.59.
It’s likely this week that Rennie and his coaches take a look at Josh Moorby, off his standout Super Rugby campaign, and maybe a longer peek at Fehi Fineanganofo, who may or may not require a financial investment to get out of his Newcastle contract, and even Leroy Carter, who, like Moorby, watched last Saturday’s 34-32 grind-out victory over France from the stands.
Maybe Jordan shifts back to fullback as a senior figure to guide his young wings. Maybe.
Maybe Ardie Savea, after nigh on 18 months of continuous rugby, needs a break too. Likewise one or two other heavily worked types from Super Rugby. Maybe
Assistant coach Neil Barnes said on Monday in Auckland: “There’s been a lot of debate in our coach’s circle, to be honest, around showing respect for Italy, because they’re actually a very good side now, and also where we’ve got a squad to grow.
“There are some people that went all right last week that might not be in there, but there were also some really good performances that are going to be rewarded. We’ve got a little eye on making sure we respect it as a test match that’s got to be won well, and at the same time letting some other players have a chance to make their case as well.”
Barnes admitted Savea had been “one of many discussed” around selection this week following a review that had been largely positive.
“There’s always room for improvement. We’re the All Blacks team, so we’re always striving to be the best. But we’re comfortable I'd say with what we got out of the game.”
Comfortable enough to give Jordan his shot at history will be made clear at 4pm on Thursday.
Most test tries for the All Blacks
49: Doug Howlett (62 tests)
47: Will Jordan (55)
46: Julian Savea (54), Christian Cullen (58), Joe Rokocoko (68)
45: Beauden Barrett (144)
44: Jeff Wilson (60)
39: Ben Smith (84), Rieko Ioane (88)
37: Jonah Lomu (63)
Jordan’s year by year tally
2026: 2 tries in 1 test
2025: 7 tries in 13 tests
2024: 7 tries in 10 tests
2023: 10 tries in 10 tests
2022: 4 tries in 8 tests
2021: 15 tries in 11 tests
2020: 2 tries in 2 tests