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Will Jordan inks new deal with Crusaders, New Zealand Rugby

(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

All Blacks wunderkind Will Jordan has inked a new deal to keep him in New Zealand until the end of 2023.

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The 24-year-old outside back has been a mainstay on the All Blacks’ right wing since making his Test debut in 2020. In his two-and-a-bit seasons playing international rugby, Jordan has dotted down for 19 tries, averaging more than one a game, and has proven a constant menace for opposition.

In re-signing for another season with New Zealand Rugby, Jordan will also extend his time with both Tasman and the Crusaders – although it’s only the latter who will likely get the opportunity to field the prodigious scorer next season, with the Rugby World Cup set to overlap with New Zealand’s NPC competition.

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Jordan debuted for Tasman in 2017 after first making a name for himself as fast-paced, quick-stepping talent for Christchurch Boys’ High School. The Crusaders almost immediately signed Jordan up on a long-term deal but weren’t able to make use of his talents until the 2019 campaign due to a long-term injury ruling him from featuring the previous season.

While Jordan’s position of choice is in the No 15 jersey, he has spent much of his career playing on the wing thanks to the abundance of talent the Crusaders (and more recently, the All Black) have been able to call upon in the outside backs in recent seasons.

Since 2020, however, Jordan has been regularly parked at the back for the Crusaders, clocking up 45 appearances in the red and black and earning 35 tries in the process.

Jordan’s latest contract extension – just a one-year deal – will ensure he’s on New Zealand’s books for next year’s World Cup, where he’s set to have a massive impact.

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Still in the formative stages of his professional career, it’s anticipated that Jordan will remain in NZ beyond 2023 but the 24-year-old will likely look to leverage his performances over the coming months when negotiating for his post-World Cup contract with NZR.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate to have a great run in the Crusaders jersey so far, I remember coming back into the team in 2018 initially and there were so many legends around at the time. I loved being around them and growing from them as much as I could,” Jordan told the Crusaders’ official website.

“Over the last few years being able to play a little bit more and having a bit more of a say in the on-field stuff has been great. I’ve really loved my footy at the Crusaders and I’m looking forward to it continuing.

“When I first came into this team I was a pretty young 19-year-old kid and over the years you mature a lot. I think being around guys who have been through the same pathway as you, they know what you’re going through. Their ability to teach you little lessons along the way has been massive.

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“I think, having been here for five or six years you start to feel a bit more comfortable in this space but there’s always challenges and new things to deal with that continue to grow you.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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