Stuart Hodge
Will Jordan scores hat-trick to become New Zealand’s all-time leading try scorer; Jordan’s 50th try in 56 Tests tales him past Doug Howlett’s previous mark; All Blacks have two wins from two at start of Nations Championship
Last Updated: 11/07/26 10:46am
New Zealand’s Will Jordan runs in to score against Italy (Kerry Marshall/Photosport via AP)
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick and became New Zealand’s all-time leading try-scorer in their 47-17 victory over Italy in the Nations Championship in Wellington.
The 28-year-old moved past Doug Howlett with his 50th try in just his 56th Test as New Zealand picked up their second straight win in the competition under new boss Dave Rennie.
Italy started quickly and opened the scoring through Tommaso Menoncello but New Zealand hit back through Sam Darry and then started to pull away courtesy of efforts from Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot and Tupou Vaa’i alongside Jordan’s hat-trick.
69 – Daisuke Ohata, Japan (1996-2006) 67 – Bryan Habana, South Africa (2004-16) 64 – David Campese, Australia (1982-96) 60 – Shane Williams, Wales/Lions (2000-11) 55 – Hirotoki Onozawa, Japan (2001-13) 52 – Akaki Tabutsadze, Georgia (2020-present) 50 – Rory Underwood, England/Lions (1984-96) 50 – Will Jordan, New Zealand (2020-present) 49 – Doug Howlett, New Zealand (2000-07) 49 – George North, Wales/Lions (2010-24) 47 – Brian O’Driscoll, Ireland/Lions (1999-2014)
“It’s special I guess,” said Jordan, speaking after the game to Stan Sport. “I think back to when I was a kid, practising my chip and chase in the back yard, to think I’d be here today, it’s hugely humbling.
“I guess as a winger you’re on the end of the chain sometimes. I’ve been a part of some great teams over the last seven years and I guess, in turn, I hope I’ve inspired a few kids to practice chip and chase in the back yard to dream big.”
New Zealand scored five tries and 33 points after half-time to make the win comfortable, following a disappointing first half where they were rushed into errors by Italy’s flat and physical defence.
Menoncello opened the scoring with a try from an All Blacks turnover and, though New Zealand responded within five minutes with a try to lock Sam Darry, Italy denied New Zealand space and possession as the home team limped to half-time with a 14-10 lead.
Jordan’s first try from a chip kick by Jordie Barrett and a skilful recovery by Leroy Carter gave New Zealand the lead for the first time and against the run of play in the 30th minute.
“I think we started really well and we were putting them under pressure,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said. “They were trying to compete around the breakdown and we were really strong in that area.
“They came back on the field after half-time with another gear and we couldn’t hold them.”
The visitors had their backs against the wall after Niccolo Cannone was sent off for a headbutt and suffered their second successive defeat following their loss to Japan last week.
In spite of the one-man disadvantage, Italy scored their second try through Leonardo Marin in the 57th minute.
Moorby stars on debut to help Jordan break record
The day, though, belonged to Jordan – who had debutant Josh Moorby to thank after the 28-year-old played a prominent role in all three tries after coming off the bench to make his Test debut in the 31st minute.
Backrower Anton Segner came on at half-time for his debut, to become the first player born in Germany to play for the All Blacks. His parents flew from Frankfurt to be present for the occasion.
Moorby broke off the left wing and combined with his Hurricanes team-mate, scrum half Roigard, to score two minutes after the resumption. He then won an intercept and went close to scoring before prop De Groot crashed over for a try in his 42nd test.
Josh Moorby fends off a defender during his impressive New Zealand debut (Marty Melville/Photosport via AP)
Finally Moorby outpaced the cover defence to set up Jordan’s second try which equalled the All Blacks record set by Howlett. Jordan then had the record on his own when he scored his third try in the 54th minute, from Barrett’s quick thinking at a tapped penalty.