Will Jordan breaks All Blacks' all-time try-scoring record with hat-trick against Italy

Will Jordan became the All Blacks’ all-time leading try-scorer on Saturday in Wellington, a hat-trick against Italy lifting his career tally to 50 and ending Doug Howlett’s record that had stood for nearly two decades.

Jordan had already moved past Joe Rokocoko, Julian Savea and Christian Cullen with a two-try display against France the previous week, leaving only Howlett between him and the record. The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when a Jordie Barrett grubber was collected by Leroy Carter, who offloaded to Jordan for his first try of the night. The second and third followed in a three-minute burst, with Barrett providing the linebreak assist for the second before debutant Josh Moorby found Jordan on the inside. A quick tap from Ruben Love then set up Barrett’s cut-out pass for Jordan to finish 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 28-year-old Crusaders back said the calibre of names he has now surpassed — Howlett, Rokocoko, Savea, Cullen, Beauden Barrett and Jonah Lomu, whose 37 tries sit further down the list — is what humbles him most. “They’re the who’s who of All Blacks back three players,” Jordan said. “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 his 50 tries, Jordan singled out two as the most memorable: a try against Ireland in Wellington in 2022 off an inside ball from Ardie Savea, and his quarter-final score against Ireland at the Rugby World Cup.

Jordan said he had been aware of the record for the past 12 months and knew he needed five tries when the Test season began a fortnight ago. He admitted he surprised himself with the pace of his progress, crediting an expansive team style for his fast start to the campaign.

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

Having spent the past two Test seasons at fullback, Jordan said his return to the wing reflects a maturity in his approach to both positions. “I certainly feel like I’m capable of playing both to a world-class level,” he said. “As a winger, you get a few more tries, so it’s cool to be there.”