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Watch: Crusaders' whiz kid Will Jordan scorches Reds in first Super Rugby start
By Online Editors
After a year sitting on the sidelines, it isn't taking long for Crusaders fullback Will Jordan to make a name for himself in Super Rugby after his first start against the Reds.
The youngster has drawn praise from fans after scorching the Reds for 121 metres on 19 carries. He made 5 clean breaks and scored his first Super Rugby try.
The Crusaders went coast-to-coast after scoring their first try, using a wide movement from inside their 22 to stretch the Reds to the edge. Jordan, looming on the inside, took an offload from Jack Goodhue and used his searing pace to burn downfield before feeding Braydon Ennor. The winger couldn't finish but found Jordan back on the inside for a sensational try.
It looked like the Crusaders would run away with it early after building a quick 10-0 lead but the Reds managed to fight back and strike with Samu Kerevi on the stroke of halftime to reduce the lead to 10-7.
The Reds toiled but eventually could not stop the rolling maul which the Crusaders used to score twice.
A late consolation try to Scott Higginbotham earned some respectability on the scoreboard as the Crusaders took home a 22-12 win, their 18th-straight victory.
Reds coach Brad Thorn rued some poor kicking choices from his team, lamenting the ability of his side to hold onto the ball.
"It felt like we got opportunities with ball and we turned it straight back over," he said.
"When we hold the ball ... things can happen."
The defending champions stay undefeated in their quest for three straight titles and move on where they will face the hapless Chiefs at home next week. The Chiefs lost to the Sunwolves at home to start the season 0-3 and will desperately need a result soon to get their season back on track.
The Reds are now 0-2 and face a stiff test against the Waratahs in Sydney.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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