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'More relieved than deflated': Howlett happy to pass on the mantle
Jaxin Daniels • July 13th, 2026 10:17 am
Doug Howlett on his way to scoring one of his previously unbeaten 49 Test tries for the All Blacks | Photo: Geoff Dale / Photosport
Will Jordan brought up 50 Test tries for the All Blacks over the weekend, moving past Doug Howlett on the all-time list.
Speaking on Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy, Howlett said watching Jordan close in on the mark had been a nervous experience.
"I'm probably more relieved than deflated," the former All Black said.
"Watching these last few All Black games of him playing, I've been clutching my seat every time he scores a try."
Jordan did not just edge past the mark either, with the record taken in emphatic fashion.
“In the end it was a swift death, with three tries to overtake it.”
Howlett held the record since 2007, and said he will always look back on that achievement with pride.
"I think that's my overriding feeling is to have had it for so long, it’s something I'll look back on with great pride"
The former All Blacks winger was quick to point out that try scoring records are never built by one player alone.
"It's always a team game, and you know tries are a product of great teamwork.
"I was a part of some wonderful teams and as it was, my job was to score tries, so that's what I did for so long and now Will's doing that and driving on even further."
Asked what makes a try memorable, Howlett said it was about both the finish and the moment in the match.
"I think there's a personal piece, but also the team piece, which I guess overrides most things."
"Some of my best memories of scoring tries and then looking back at my team running towards me as if they'd scored the tries themselves."
Howlett has been impressed by Jordan’s ability to read the game and put himself in the right place at the right time.
Will Jordan scores one of his three tries against the Azzurri | Photo: AP
"I think I'm really pleased watching it because it's almost a lost art.
“This game awareness piece around being in the right place at the right time doesn't just happen."
He said Jordan’s running lines and anticipation are what stand out most.
"He's always there looking for the last little offload or whatever it may be."
"I think that’s a real skill for young players to look out for and running lines and all these types of things are something that really impresses me with Will."
Howlett said there is a major work rate element around Jordan’s feat, even if not every effort is rewarded.
"You have to be around the ball," the former record holder said.
"I'd run 10 of those and I might get the ball once, and that's the one that everyone sees.
"And that's the same with Will. He's always around."
Howlett also acknowledged that he could still fall further down the list.
"There's Beauden Barrett, who everyone seems to have, you know, not forgotten about, but he's on 45 tries.
"Could quite easily slip down again if he gets some game time."
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Reflecting on the players who helped him reach 49 tries, Howlett named several former teammates.
"I think Tana (Umaga) was probably number one. I think Carlos Spencer was number two. Christian Cullen, you know, he sort of did 90% of the work and got scragged right at the end and I was right there."
He also had praise for Josh Moorby, who joined the All Blacks winger ranks with his debut over the weekend.
"To come into a Test match like that and look the way he did, it was exceptional.
"Every time he touched the ball was he threatening, very limited error rate, quite comfortable in the space"
Howlett said Moorby’s rise adds further competition to the All Blacks outside backs.
"I think it's great for the All Blacks stock you know that just makes all the outside backs you know more competitive and want to be there"
Listen to the full interview below:
