'Outclassed in every facet': Will Jordan shines in Crusaders demolition job of Force
This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
Will Jordan still resembles the player that lit up opposition sides in recent years.
That's arguably the most important takeaway from the Crusaders' emphatic 48-13 romp over the Western Force in Christchurch on Saturday.
Of course, the five competition points the reigning champions bagged on the back of their bonus point win was also key, but it's fair to say all eyes on were on Jordan in his first game back since a migraine-related illness sidelined him for almost eight months.
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Will Jordan of the Crusaders charges forward. Getty
Jordan didn't add to his impressive try-scoring tally (35 in 46 games) on a night the Crusaders touched down eight times, but he provided two neat assists to wing Leicester Fainga'anuku.
The 25-year-old wasn't perfect – he grassed an early bomb he'd normally gobble up – but there was no mistaking he was back when he glided across the OrangeTheory Stadium turf, ball in two hands, constantly threatening.
Having received the loudest two applauses of the evening– when he was introduced and subbed off after 55 minutes – Jordan chalked up 137 metres on nine carries, beating five defenders and making two clean breaks.
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Leicester Fainga'anuku of the Crusaders dives to score past Issak Fines-Leleiwasa of the Force. Getty
One of those led directly to Fainga'anuku's first try, when Jordan bolted through a gap and put his wing over for their second of the evening, before a perfectly looped ball preceded Fainga'anuku steam rolling a few defenders on his way over for his brace.
Fainga'anuku was bettered by rake Brodie McAlister, who completed his hat-trick early in the second half, scoring all three via rolling mauls.
The Crusaders also got quality performances from wing Macca Springer and halfback Noah Hotham, two rookies who will depart for the New Zealand under-20s' World Cup campaign before the playoffs.
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Springer was superb under the high ball, and scored a gem of a try on the stroke of halftime, when he punched through a gap and stepped his way over the line to give his side a 24-6 lead.
As Hotham showed with his ability to knife open opposition sides with his running game, he offers the Crusaders a dimension they have lacked in recent years from their No.9s.
The Crusaders didn't just beat the Force at scrum time, they beat them thoroughly and ruthlessly, repeatedly shunting them back and earning penalties.
It made for a dominant night for the hosts, one they bossed throughout, although they'll know they need to be significantly better against the Blues at the same venue next week.
After all, their game still featured far too many handling errors, highlighted by David Havili throwing a pass well behind Jordan during a set piece move in the first half.
"As cliched as it sounds, we were outclassed in every facet of the game and the scoreline shows that," Force captain Michael Wells said.
"Obviously our defence went wrong. If you're defending all game and not attacking until 60, you're not forcing turnovers, letting them dominate territory.
"Twenty minutes to attack against a team like the Crusaders isn't enough to win a game or be competitive."
Force coach Simon Cron tried to find some positives.
"We've definitely gotten better, especially when it comes to our discipline, however we've got to push for more turnovers we've been defending a lot and need to get more of the ball in our hands," Cron said.
"Max (Burey) had a good debut, it was baptism by fire for him. I thought he was very reactive, he was engaged and moving around the park a lot.
"We just need to put some more chess pieces around him to allow him to be better."
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