Will Jordan became New Zealand’s all-time leading try-scorer as the All Blacks secured a 47-17 victory over Italy in a Nations Championship Test match held in Wellington on Saturday. Jordan scored three tries in the game, surpassing Doug Howlett’s previous record of 49 tries. The win marked New Zealand’s second consecutive bonus-point victory in the inaugural 12-nation tournament under new coach Dave Rennie, following a narrow 34-32 win against France last week.
The match began competitively, with Italy taking an early lead when midfielder Tommaso Menoncello scored in the third minute after breaking through a tackle and combining with Malik Faissal. New Zealand quickly responded through Sam Darry, who powered over to level the score at 7-7, before Italy regained a slight edge with a penalty from fullback Tommaso Allan. Jordan’s try near the half-hour mark allowed New Zealand to take a 14-10 lead into halftime after a tightly contested first half dominated by strong defense from both teams.
The second half saw a turning point when Italy’s lock Niccolo Cannone was initially shown a yellow card for head-butting New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard. The decision was later upgraded to a red card after match officials judged the foul carried a high degree of danger without mitigating circumstances. Italy’s coach Gonzalo Quesada contested this ruling, arguing that Cannone had been held by an All Blacks player and collided with Roigard accidentally while trying to break free. Quesada also expressed dissatisfaction with other officiating decisions during the match.
Following Cannone’s dismissal, New Zealand capitalized by scoring four tries in the third quarter, two of which were credited to Jordan. This offensive surge effectively ended Italy’s challenge and secured a convincing margin for the home side. Italy also suffered a setback when fullback Tommaso Allan sustained a chest injury, resulting in his removal from the field on a stretcher and subsequent hospitalization. Quesada was unable to provide an update on Allan’s condition immediately after the match.
Jordan acknowledged the significance of achieving the try-scoring record, describing it as a “hugely humbling” moment. He reflected on his early experiences practicing rugby skills as a child and expressed hope that his achievements would inspire future players. Jordan reached the milestone in his 56th Test appearance, highlighting a seven-year international career marked by involvement in successful New Zealand teams.
The All Blacks’ victory solidified their leading position in the Nations Championship standings, demonstrating the impact of their offensive capabilities once in full rhythm. Meanwhile, Italy faces ongoing challenges, including coping with injuries and discipline issues, as the tournament progresses.