Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders' Will Jordan on course to shatter try-scoring records with new NZ Rugby deal

You won't hear it from the man himself, but All Blacks and Crusaders star Will Jordan is on course to not just beat the record for the most tries in Super Rugby history - but shatter it entirely.

At just 25, Jordan has become a key cog in the Crusaders' wheel since his debut in 2019, present for five of the current run of six titles in six years.

But while tries scored isn't a complete reflection of Jordan's importance to the Crusaders, it does paint a picture of his abilities with ball in hand

Will Jordan.
Will Jordan. Photo credit: Getty Images

Starting on the wing before moving into fullback, Jordan has crossed over for an astonishing record of 36 tries in only 48 appearances.

Tied with former players George Bridge and Caleb Ralph, only Sevu Reece with 44 is ahead of Jordan on that list.

But aside from the actual number of tries scored, it's the rate at which Jordan scores that should have us reaching for the record books.

With 36 tries in 48 games, Jordan scores 0.75 per game, slightly ahead of Reece's 44 in 59 - for 0.74 tries per game.

On the all-time list, Hurricanes wing Julian Savea and former NSW Waratahs fullback Israel Folau both lead the way with 60 tries, while TJ Perenara could also put his name into the frame with 58.

Again though, in terms of strike rate, Folau's record of 0.63 per game, Savea's 0.39, and Perenara's 0.38, swings the pendulum towards the current Crusaders pair.

Among currently active players, Rieko Ioane of the Blues is also putting up stiff competition with 50 tries. However, those come at 0.51 per game - down on Jordan's mark.

However, while Reece is contracted to the end of 2024, Jordan's new contract through to the end of 2027 could lead to a frightening overhauling of the record.

If he was to play every available game, and keep scoring at his current rate, Jordan would become Super Rugby's all-time leading try scorer in his 81st match. 

But for Jordan himself, any personal records take a back seat in the grand scheme of his career in Super Rugby with the Crusaders.

"Sevu [Reece] is always letting you know about it," he said. "It's not something you keep track of too much.

"If you're watching replays of games and stuff to review it, you see it pop up. It's not something you're constantly keeping track of.

"There's a lot of hype at the moment around Julian [Savea] and him being close to breaking the all-time record.

"But not on a day to day basis, you're not ticking them off when you climb up the Crusaders' list."

Signing through to 2027 will also see Jordan at the forefront of the Crusaders' new era.

With the likes of coach Scott Robertson leaving to coach the All Blacks, and star players Sam Whitelock and Richie Mo'unga heading overseas, whoever takes charge of the Crusades faces a significant rebuild.

"Similar stuff was said after 2019 - we had a lot of guys leave as well," said Jordan. "We've done a good job, we've been able to regroup and find a new bunch of guys to play well and fill shoes.

"I've got full faith in the guys coming through and the coaching staff that Gus [chief executive Colin Mansbridge] and his team will be able to put in place.

"For me, the opportunity to potentially play in the new stadium in a couple of years was something that's pretty exciting."