​Will Jordan became New Zealand’s record-try scorer with a hat-trick as his side crushed Italy 47-17 in the Nations Championship. The 28-year-old’s three-try haul at Wellington’s Regional Stadium lifted his career total to 50 across 56 Tests, placing him one ahead of Doug Howlett. “It’s special. I think back to when I was a kid, practising my chip-and-chase in the backyard,” Jordan said. “To think I’d be here today is hugely humbling. I’ve been part of some great teams over the last seven years and, in turn, I hope I’ve inspired some kids to practise their chip-and-chase and dream big.”
New Zealand crossed for seven tries in total, with Sam Darry, Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot, and Tupou Vaa’i also touching down. Italy replied through Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin, but their hopes were dampened by Niccolo Cannone’s dismissal in the 51st minute. Cannone initially received a yellow card for headbutting Roigard, which was upgraded to a red by the television match official.
In this Nations Championship, results and standings are taking shape as teams compete in a new format. The victory followed New Zealand’s 34-32 win over France in the opening round under new coach Dave Rennie, while Italy fell 27-10 to Japan. Jordan’s final score of the night came after Roigard, De Groot, and Jordan had already pushed the score to 33-10 before Cannone’s incident influenced the game, and Marin’s try for Italy briefly interrupted the All Blacks’ momentum. Vaa’i then sealed the match with a seventh New Zealand try late on, further underscoring the team’s dominance in this 12-team competition.
For fans keen on dissecting the sport’s quirks and narratives, there’s plenty to unpack beyond the scoreline. The Nations Championship is shaping a new chapter in international rugby, with teams adapting to a fresh structure and a broader slate of fixtures. As for the players, Jordan’s milestone will be remembered as a landmark achievement in a career defined by consistency, longevity, and a knack for producing moments when it mattered most.