All Blacks and Crusaders outside back Will Jordan has re-committed to New Zealand Rugby and the Christchurch-based side, inking a deal through to 2023.

Jordan is capable of playing at full-back and on the wing and his exciting skill-set was rewarded with World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award for 2021.

Several successes with the Crusaders

The 24-year-old has made a rapid rise in the game and has had a successful career with the Crusaders, winning four Super Rugby titles in as many seasons with the team.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate to have a great run in the Crusaders jersey so far, I remember coming back into the team in 2018 initially and there were so many legends around at the time. I loved being around them and growing from them as much as I could,” Jordan told the Crusaders’ official website.

“Over the last few years being able to play a little bit more and having a bit more of a say in the on-field stuff has been great. I’ve really loved my footy at the Crusaders and I’m looking forward to it continuing.”

Born in Christchurch, Jordan’s love for the Crusaders is not only due to their successes on the field but also from his love for the team’s supporters.

“It’s the people around you,” he said. “I have a great bunch of mates here and we have a lot of laughs on and off the field – I love turning up every day and getting to do something I enjoy alongside them. It’s been said a bit recently with guys like Jase [Ryan] and Goodie [Andrew Goodman] leaving, it’s all they’ve mentioned is the people and the team.”

Jordan was asked for his favourite Crusaders memory and it came as no surprise that one of the finals which he played in was his choice.

“It’s probably pretty hard to go past this year’s final at Eden Park,” he said. “It was a season that probably didn’t go that smoothly the whole time, but the way we were able to bounce back and finish off the season at such a tough place to play up at Eden Park against the Blues and win the title again I’m sure is something we’ll all remember.”

He also admitted that he has developed as person during his stint with the men in red and black.

“When I first came into this team I was a pretty young 19-year-old kid and over the years you mature a lot,” said Jordan. “I think being around guys who have been through the same pathway as you, they know what you’re going through. Their ability to teach you little lessons along the way has been massive.

“I think, having been here for five or six years you start to feel a bit more comfortable in this space but there’s always challenges and new things to deal with that continue to grow you.”

Looking forward to 2023 season

Looking ahead to the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Jordan is excited to see some new faces in the Crusaders environment.

“There are some exciting changes, some young boys coming through and like I said before some new coaches as well, so really pumped to get alongside them and take on their new ideas,” he added.

“With the new comp – the tarns-Tasman stuff, there were some great games last year particularly against those Aussie teams, so looking forward to growing that again and hopefully replicating some of our past success.”

Jordan will join the Crusaders for pre-season training ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific tournament.