Jordan’s ready for Canterbury
Like any young rugby talent, Will Jordan grew up entertaining thoughts of maybe one day representing his home province.
But these are modern times and in today’s professional climate, Christchurch-born Jordan will be eyeing up Canterbury from across the white line in Saturday’s Mitre 10 Cup premiership final in Christchurch.
The Tasman Makos 19-year-old fullback has created quite a ripple around his new province this season. In his nine outings he’s scored five tries and has intrigued everybody with his pace and attacking nous.
Interestingly, the former New Zealand under-20 player missed Tasman’s galling 39-0 opening round loss to Canterbury at Trafalgar Park though illness and injury. He made an instant impact on his return and although suffering a slight knock late in last weekend’s 30-29 semifinal win over Taranaki, was confident of again pulling on the No 15 jersey on Saturday.
He’s become an integral part of Tasman’s attacking structure and come Saturday, will be doing everything in his power to help lower Canterbury’s colours.
‘‘Now that I’m up here in Nelson playing for the Makos, I’m really enjoying my time here and I’ve signed on for a couple more years with them ... so hopefully we can get the job done this weekend,’’ he said.
‘‘Obviously I’m pretty excited, it’s a pretty big occasion. Canterbury are a very strong side and they’ve got a deserved championship pedigree, so obviously you get to this end of the season it’s going to be a pretty tough game.
‘‘But I think the lads are coming into form at the right time so hopefully we can go out there and just stick to our structures and get the job done.’’
The former Christchurch Boys High School First XV star is only two years out of college and has certainly appreciated the massive step up from age grade to senior rugby.
‘‘There’s a couple of things. First there’s the physicality and the bigger bodies on the field and at the breakdown and contact, it’s a lot more physical.
‘‘And then just off the field there’s all the work that has to go in ... you know, making sure you get your nutrition and doing the hard work in the gym and stuff. I guess it’s a bit more full on in terms of the content you’ve got to get through during the week.
‘‘It’s a job we all love to do and we’re pretty lucky to be able to go out there and play rugby. It’s definitely enjoyable.’’
As for his own form, Jordan’s comfortable in his new environment and enjoying his role among Tasman’s potent back three alongside wingers James Lowe and fellow NZ under-20 player Tima Faingaanuku.
‘‘I’ve been pretty happy with how it’s been going. It’s been an adjustment I guess playing against men instead of playing age-group footy with the under-20s and under-19s and stuff.
‘‘But I’m really lucky to have guys like James Lowe and Mitch Hunt in the backline helping me out. I’m happy with how it’s going but I’ve still got a big game to go this weekend.’’
Last Saturday’s stunning win over Taranaki provided the squad with a timely tonic.
‘‘Obviously the boys were pretty ecstatic to get the win. Taranaki were the top qualifiers after the round robin at home, I don’t think too many people were picking us to win.’’
Tasman were well beaten 43-27 by Canterbury in last year’s final although Jordan said it was important to keep the nerves in check.
He knows something about finals pressure, having been involved in New Zealand’s recordbreaking 64-17 win over England at this year’s World Rugby under-20 championship in Georgia. But facing a powerful Canterbury side on their home turf will be an entirely different proposition.
‘‘I think you can’t get too overawed by the occasion. In a final there will be a few nerves floating around but it’s just about sticking to our game and doing what we’ve been doing all season really.
‘‘You’re not trying to do anything special in a final, you just play the way you’ve been playing. So we just need to go out there, try and start well and if not just make sure we stick to our game plan and try not to stray away from that.
‘‘Yeah, Canterbury have had a couple of tough losses, but they’ve been pretty strong throughout the year. It’s going to be tough but we’re just going down there to play our game.
‘‘It’s about going there, playing our game and playing on our terms and making sure that we’re setting the tempo for the game ... having confidence in ourselves to execute our skills and try and find space.’’