Will Jordan (rugby union)
William Thomas Jordan is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a fullback for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, Tasman in the National Provincial Championship, and the New Zealand national team.
Jordan began his professional career with provincial side Tasman in 2017 and was signed by the Crusaders in 2018, making his debut in 2019 after missing the previous year with injury. Jordan quickly established himself as a starting player on the back of their title winning season before becoming their first choice fullback. He made his international debut for New Zealand in 2020 and holds a try ratio of 0.83, having scored 45 tries in 54 appearances. Since 2024 Jordan has been talked up by numerous figures and outlets as one of the best fullbacks in the world.
Early life
Jordan attended Fendalton Open Air School, then Cobham Intermediate School, then Christchurch Boys' High School. He played as fullback for the top side, and led the UC Championship in tries scored in 2015. Jordan enrolled at the University of Canterbury in 2016 to study Law and Commerce. He completed this degree in July of 2025.Club career
After a successful school career, Jordan made his debut for the Tasman Mako in Round 1 of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup against at Trafalgar Park in Nelson. He scored 6 tries during the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup, and was second in the tournament for clean breaks. Jordan made his debut for Super Rugby team the in 2019 after missing the 2018 season with injury. Jordan was part of the Mako side which won the Mitre 10 Cup for the first time in 2019. He was named in the South Island squad for the North vs South rugby union match in 2020, starting in the number 14 jersey in a 38–35 win for the South.Jordan played every minute and scored a try in the final of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season as the won their fifth title in a row with a 24–13 win over the. He had another outstanding 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season as the Crusaders made it six in a row with a 7–21 win over the in the final.
International career
After an outstanding Super Rugby Aotearoa season and scoring 2 brilliant tries in the North v South game he was named in the All Blacks squad for the 2020 Rugby Championship.Jordan made his All Blacks debut against Australia on 7 November 2020 in a 24–22 loss for New Zealand, becoming All Black number 1191. Jordan returned from injury for the final test of 2020 and scored 2 tries in a 38–0 win over Argentina. Jordan was again named in the All Blacks squad to play Tonga and Fiji in the July 2021 Steinlager Series. In the first game of the 2021 season for the All Blacks, Jordan scored 5 tries against Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium in a 102–0 win for the side. He scored another 3 tries later in the year against the United States of America in a 14–104 win for the All Blacks.
Jordan received the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Award in 2021.