All Blacks coach Ian Foster commended the display of young winger Will Jordan, following his outstanding display in the 54-16 victory over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday morning.
Playing in just his 11th test, Jordan again caught the eye with his displays on the right wing, scoring a fantastic solo try that saw him produce a perfect chip and chase that bettered three Welsh defenders to score.
The effort was Jordan's 16th try in the black jersey, at an impressive strike rate of 1.45 tries per game.
Aside from his efforts on attack, 23-year-old Jordan also made six out of six tackles, before being substituted for Richie Mo'unga in the 68th minute.
Speaking after the All Blacks' win, Foster lauded Jordan's performance, coming a week after his hat-trick stood out in the 104-14 victory over USA in Washington DC.
"I thought Will Jordan probably, for me, came of age a little bit in that third quarter," Foster says.
"He's making some really good progress, I was delighted with him.
"He's new to the All Blacks. I know he's scored a lot of tries, and admittedly some of those were against 'softer' opposition.
"But if you look at his game, he's just been progressing. In the South African game, he learned a little bit about what it's like in those big tests, the physical side and the decision-making side."
Jordan's performances against USA and Wales were just reward for Foster's faith in the young winger.
Following the All Blacks' 19-17 victory over the Springboks in Townsville, Jordan made way on the right wing for the 31-29 defeat to the same opponents a week later, as the outside backs came under pressure from South Africa's kicking game.
But tasked to improve by Foster, Jordan has responded in style, the coach says.
Despite a number of quality options in the outside backs, Jordan will have almost certainly cemented himself in the No. 14 jersey for the rest of the All Blacks' northern tour, with tests against Italy, Ireland and France in the coming three weeks.
"We've challenged him in that space, and I thought he came back really, really strong tonight," he adds.
"Again, it took him a little while, but it does [for] everyone. When they come up here, and you're playing a different type of game, and the field feels a bit smaller, the crowd's louder and it feels like there's more pressure.
"[I was] delighted the way he grew into it, and looked quite physical in that third quarter, which was pleasing."
