The All Blacks' Elusive Try-Scoring Record
For eighteen long years, one record in New Zealand rugby has remained stubbornly unbroken. Doug Howlett's tally of 49 international tries for the All Blacks men's team has stood since 2007, a monument that numerous prolific scorers have threatened but failed to topple. From the legendary Christian Cullen to the powerhouse Julian Savea, a succession of world-class backs have approached the milestone, only to see their international careers wind down before they could claim the crown.
A History of Near-Misses
The pattern is peculiar for a nation so rich in rugby talent. Many of New Zealand's most lethal finishers saw their test careers conclude surprisingly early. Joe Rokocoko, who shares second place with 46 tries, was dropped by Graham Henry before his 28th birthday. Julian Savea's 27th birthday was overshadowed by his omission from the 2017 Rugby Championship squad, despite his formidable strike rate.
Rieko Ioane's current situation exemplifies this trend. Once seemingly destined for the record books after scoring 22 tries in his first 21 Tests, the 87-cap back now finds himself out of the squad entirely. His last ten matches in the black jersey have yielded just a single try, and with Scott Robertson favouring other options like Leicester Fainga'anuku and Billy Proctor, his international future is uncertain.
As Rokocoko himself reflected, the lifespan of an All Blacks winger is notoriously short. "They're always coming out the woodwork so you've got to be on your toes," he told Sky Sports. "That jersey isn't ours – we're just caretakers."
The Man Set to Buck the Trend
Now, a new challenger emerges, one who appears perfectly positioned to finally rewrite the history books. Will Jordan, with 44 tries from just 52 Tests, scored his latest in New Zealand's win over Scotland and sits just five behind Howlett's record.
What sets Jordan apart? At 28 years old, an age where many of his predecessors were seeing their international opportunities diminish, Jordan's future in the All Blacks setup looks secure. Having transitioned successfully from the wing to his preferred full-back position, his game appears less reliant on pure, explosive athleticism that can wane with age. His contract through to the end of the 2027 World Cup signals the faith New Zealand Rugby has in his long-term value.
Jordan himself approaches the impending milestone with characteristic perspective. "For me it's always been about trying to have longevity and influence in the black jersey," he told The Post. "Probably the part I find coolest about it is being up in that space and just seeing the names there. It's kind of the who's who of back-three players in New Zealand."
While Beauden Barrett sits just four tries behind Howlett, the greater, more sustained threat undoubtedly comes from Jordan. If he maintains his current trajectory, he will not only surpass Howlett but could potentially challenge the overall Test record of 69 tries, held by Japan's Daisuke Ohata. After nearly two decades of waiting, the All Blacks may finally have their record-breaker.
