Will Jordan’s dad has always been one of his biggest supporters and the All Blacks wing is grateful to have had him at his side in South Africa.
Jordan and the All Blacks are preparing for one of the biggest games of the year, with Sunday morning’s (NZT) third test against the Springboks essentially a series decider, with the final game in the four-match contest in the US.
Will Jordan will start on the wing in the third test against the Springboks.
Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
He said it’s been nice to be able to spend time with family despite being away from New Zealand for seven weeks.
“On a personal note, my dad made the trip over, so it’s been great to share some moments with him,” Jordan said.
“He got here the Friday before the first test, so he’s had a few weeks over here. We’ve caught up a few times for some meals, which have been good.
“He’s off to a safari today, so he’s looking forward to that. He’s part of a big tour group, so they’ve had a great time.”
Jordan said his parents were key role models when he was growing up and helped instil in him the importance of being a good person.
Early in his career Jordan would turn to his dad for rugby related advice, but since he’s become a star in his own right, their relationship has matured.
Jordan, who has played 59 tests for New Zealand and is the country’s all-time leading try scorer with 53 tries, admits he can struggle at times with the scrutiny that comes with being an All Black, and has battled with being able to “switch off” in the past.
Will Jordan scores a try.
Marty Melville
He said his dad no longer gave him tips about his game, but had become a key figure in helping him maintain his mental health.
He said his dad knew him as well as anyone and would help him find perspective when things were weighing him down.
“Yeah, he steers away from handing out too much rugby advice,” Jordan said.
“What is great is that he checks on how I’m going. He’s obviously got a good feel around my body language and that sort of thing, how I’m feeling. He probably touches base more around that than any game plan advice.”
Jordan said having his dad in South Africa had been special and they had both loved their time in the Rainbow Nation.
“It’s been great. I’ve only been here a couple of times before, so it was great to go to a few of the other different spots, the likes of Durban, the game in Pretoria, to see a few different parts of South Africa.”
Jordan said it had been invigorating seeing his dad and so many other New Zealanders in the stadiums.
“I’ve got a real buzz out of how many Kiwis have made the trip over,” Jordan said.
“Like it’s been pretty special lining up for the national anthem and seeing a big wall of black in the crowd.
“I feel like the tour has been well received and I think we feel a bit of that energy from the New Zealand fans.”
Jordan said it was crucial to be able to take your mind off rugby and find some down time on tour and he said it was in those moments that he had found plenty of joy.
“I think for me it’s just the small moments I’ve enjoyed,” Jordan said.
“It sounds a little bit cliche but it’s just the moments with your mates, having coffees, playing cards, that’s the stuff that you remember.
“Off the field it’s those small moments and as well as the South African public, they’ve been great. We’ve been extremely well received, so I’ve loved the support we’ve got from them.”
Will Jordan with family after becoming the All Blacks all-time leading try scorer.
Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
And Jordan had been thoroughly impressed by the South African cuisine.
“I’ve had a lot of red meat over here. A lot,” Jordan said.
“The braai’s (South African charcoal bbq) are great. That would be probably the standout for me, the barbecue they do over here is pretty special.”
Nothing would be as special though as winning Sunday morning’s third test at Soccer City, with about 90,000 fans set to create an electric atmosphere.
Jordan said he had allowed himself to envision what a victory might feel like, but he said there was plenty that needed to happen between now and then to make that a reality.
“I guess you have a few thoughts of what it’ll be like to win a series over here,” Jordan said.
“Certainly it was a huge goal of ours coming over, so you have those moments where you think what it would be like but you understand that it has to be well earned.
“A lot of hard work will go into it, so I think you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself, but understand when the big moments come, it’ll be on us to execute and earn that result.”
The match kicks off at 5:10am (NZT) on Sunday and is preceded by the Black Ferns clash with the Springbok women, which starts at 11:30pm (NZT) on Saturday.