Born: 22 November, 1953 Test record: 5 Tests (1977-78) – 2 tries, 16 goals (38 points) Tours: 1977 World Championship, 1978 tour of Australia
Goalkicking utility-back Chris Jordan played five Tests for New Zealand in 1977-78.
The son of similarly versatile 1940s Test back Len Jordan, the Ellerslie product played five-eighth for Auckland against France in 1975 and featured in New Zealand XIII’s convincing win over a Sydney Metropolitan touring side the following season.
Chosen in the 1977 World Championship squad, Jordan made his Test bow at centre – alongside fellow debutant Olsen Filipaina – in New Zealand’s tournament-opening loss to Australia at Carlaw Park.
Jordan was replaced by Fred Ah Kuoi for the next match, a heavy loss to Great Britain, but was recalled for the Kiwis’ final fixture against France. The 21-year-old racked up 19 points (one try, eight goals) from five-eighth in a 28-20 victory. Jordan also featured on the wing throughout Auckland’s remarkable ‘Grand Slam’ success of ’77, when the province defeated visiting Australia, Great Britain and France in the space of three weeks.
Despite the touring squad selection of incumbent and Canterbury fullback Mike O’Donnell and young Auckland custodian Nicky Wright, Jordan was a controversial choice to play all three Tests at fullback in Australia in 1978. He slotted three goals across the heavy losses in the first two Tests, before crossing for a try and slotting five goals in the 33-16 dead-rubber defeat.
Jordan, who kicked another 17 goals in 10 minor tour matches, made way for Wright to make his Test debut in the one-off clash with Papua New Guinea.
Though his international career came to an end in 1978, he played for Auckland against Australia two years later before finishing his club career with Northcote.
