Who’s hot and who’s not: Will Jordan’s ‘symbolic’ hat-trick, France answer ‘vocal critics’ and Wallabies lose their ‘mojo’
It's time for our Monday wrap of who's making headlines and who's falling flat on their face after the weekend.
On Fire
Will Jordan
Will Jordan is on fire! He broke a long-standing try-scoring record with a hat-trick, overtaking Doug Howlett as the All Blacks' all-time Test try-scorer. This achievement reflects his trajectory from his debut in 2020 to becoming a first-name-on-the-team-sheet player. Jordan's poacher's efforts were symbolic, showcasing his ability to chase kicks and support lines. His hat-trick against the Azzurri, including a captain's armband, made the day even sweeter.
Henry Pollock
Henry Pollock had a statement performance, with calls for his promotion to the starting team. He dominated the game with 32 minutes on the clock, bagging a hat-trick and the second-most metres across the Test. This follows up some quality performances in big games, including a Man of the Match win in Northampton's PREM final. Pollock is in a confident mood, and a start is not too far away.
Sean Jansen
Sean Jansen had a solid debut for Connacht, looking right at home at this level. He carried hard, tackled well, and got a try along the way. Ireland needed a performance like this, and Jansen's age profile (27) makes him a promising long-term prospect. He showed he can step into the role of Caelan Doris at number eight.
On a Roll
France
France answered their vocal critics with a big win over the Wallabies. The playmaking axis of Maxime Lucu, Romain Ntamack, and Matthieu Jalibert worked beautifully, showcasing their intent to play at Suncorp. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang had a fine Test debut, and the bench turned the screw late on. This performance mirrors their Six Nations win, with some different names in the side. Les Bleus are in rude health, and you'd be brave to write them off.
Back on Track
England
England needed a big win over Fiji after five straight defeats and mounting pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick. They delivered an 11-try win, a much-needed tonic. While not absolute perfection, the changes made within the team, including Henry Slade and Guy Pepper, were effective. England now faces Argentina, and a win would go a long way.
Finn Russell
Finn Russell had an excellent performance against the Springboks, described as 'quite possibly the finest Test match of his career'. The Scotland fly-half put on an all-court game, despite two months out injured. The scoreboard denied him, but his performance was a joy to watch.
Cold as Ice
Pacific Island Nations
The Pacific Island nations had a tough weekend, tasting defeat to European opposition. Fiji lost 73-8 to England, Tonga fell to Spain 32-19, and Samoa lost 33-12 to Georgia. None of them picked up any form of bonus points, losing ground in their respective pools. They have winnable Tests lined up this weekend, but it's time to forget about the past.
Wallabies
The Wallabies are in a sticky position, on a run of nine defeats from their past 10 Tests. They haven't won since October last year and seem to have lost their mojo. The ongoing coaching saga might be a factor, but they need to find a way to win and build momentum.
Drug Scandal
South African rugby is hit with another drug scandal, with a urine sample from Kai Pratt returning an adverse analytical finding. This comes amid Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s 18-month ban, painting an ugly picture for the union.
