Legendary full-back Christian Cullen has revealed his admiration for two of the All Blacks’ current back three stars, Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan.
The 48-year-old is fondly remembered by those who watched him, with his pace, skill and silky smooth running style marking him out from the rest.
But Cullen, whose Test career spanned for seven years between 1996 and 2003, has now cast his eye over the 2024 options.
A debate has raged about the make-up of the backline, decisions which affect fly-half, full-back and wing.
The combination against Argentina
Against Argentina, Damian McKenzie lined up at pivot with Barrett in the 15 jersey and Jordan on the wing, but many believe that the Crusaders flyer should be at full-back.
Appearing on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby ANZ podcast, Cullen was asked about who he enjoys watching in today’s game and namechecked two of those players.
“It’s the X-factor players. New Zealand-wise, Beaudy’s still got it, but I love Will Jordan,” he said.
The All Blacks great was then pressed on who he would like to see at full-back and responded: “Will scored two tries on the wing, so we’ll leave him there for now.”
Ex-Wallabies star Jeremy Paul is someone who would like to see him in that slot, however, despite Jordan’s incredible try-scoring record from wing.
“Every time I see Will Jordan touch the ball, I think something’s gonna happen. Of course he’s at wing now but, my goodness, if he had more opportunity at 15…” Paul said.
Jordan has scored a remarkable 33 tries in as many Tests and is just 16 behind Doug Howlett, who still holds the All Blacks record.
Cullen is also on that list, sitting in joint-second alongside Joe Rokocoko and Julian Savea, but the New Zealand great reckons that the 26-year-old will usurp them all if he stays fit.
In fact, the former All Black believes that the overall Test record, which currently stands at 69 by Japan’s Daisuke Ohata, is under threat.
“Will just works really hard and wants to be involved. It doesn’t look like he’s running really fast but he’s got quite a deceptive running style,” he said.
“We talk about records and breaking records and I’ve got no doubt if he’s around in two or three years’ time, he will break every try-scoring record.”
What makes Will Jordan outstanding
Jordan has endured his injury issues over the past couple of years but he returned to the All Blacks’ starting line-up in their dominant 42-10 victory over Argentina.
The back three star touched down twice in the triumph and Cullen felt that Jordan’s second try was instructive as to why the speedster has been such an excellent player on the wing.
“That second try that Will scored, he was involved down the right-hand side and the thing I liked was the work rate and his ability to get up and get back into play, and be somewhere where he’s effective,” he said.
“You then see he was in the shape for the back pass. He’s over there on the right side, he’s been tackled, but he’s got back up, not stayed on his wing and then he’s got into a position to score a try.
