Kilted Kiwi: Tom Jordan’s journey from Ōrewa to test rugby with Scotland

Scotland's "Kilted Kiwi", Tom Jordan, in action against Portugal. Photo / AFP

• Tom Jordan, a 26-year-old from north of Auckland, became a Scotland international after joining Glasgow Warriors in 2019.
• Despite not playing for New Zealand age-grade teams, Jordan’s perseverance led to success in the United Rugby Championship.
• He will join the Bristol Bears next season, aiming to continue his impressive rugby career in Europe.

He’s been described as one of the hottest prospects in European rugby, he was born and raised north of Auckland, he’s a United Rugby Championship (URC) winner, and last month became a Scotland international.

But you’ve probably never heard of him. That’s because Tom Jordan never represented any New Zealand age-grade teams, he never played in the NPC and only made his breakthrough into professional rugby at the Glasgow Warriors three years ago.

It’s safe to say the 26-year-old first five and utility back has overcome plenty of adversity in his journey in becoming a “Kilted Kiwi” last month.

“This is what I was dreaming about doing for so long,” Jordan told the Herald. “There were some tough times and things could have been different, but for things to work out the way they did, I’m just grateful.”

After playing first XV at Ōrewa College, Jordan’s journey took him to Waikato, where he won two club titles at Hamilton Old Boys in 2017-18, playing alongside future All Blacks Quinn Tupaea, Shaun Stevenson and Sevu Reece, plus Rugby World Cup winner Zac Guilford.

Opportunities in the Waikato and Chiefs development squads came, but nothing eventuated and after obtaining his degree, a decision had to be made.

Move back in with his parents in Whangaparāoa, playing for North Harbour’s development side? Or move to the other side of the world for six months to play for the Ayrshire Bulls in a newly developed, semi-professional competition?

Despite having no links to Scotland, Jordan wanted a challenge and stepped into the unknown, making the move to Ayrshire in late 2019.

Months later, Covid-19 arrived, travel restrictions stopped the world, but Jordan kept fighting and praying for an opportunity. He caught the eye of then Warriors coach Dave Rennie and was invited to train with the team, but his future remained uncertain.

The trials and tribulations eventually paid off when he was offered his first professional contact by new Glasgow boss Franco Smith and made his URC debut in the opening match of the 2022/23 season.

The rest is history.

Regular playing time, which Jordan credits for his success, saw him become a fan favourite at Scotstoun. In his second season, he featured in every match as the Warriors stunned the Bulls in Pretoria to win their second championship earlier this year.

In November, he became eligible to represent Scotland after five years of residency, and national coach Gregor Townsend didn’t hesitate in selecting him in his squad.

Townsend informed Jordan ahead of a two-week trip to South Africa and he had to keep the news quiet until he returned.

“I was stoked and excited,” said Jordan. “There was no time to celebrate because after returning we were in camp the next day preparing for Fiji.

“To get named was awesome, it was a cool feeling, and I was over the moon. I didn’t want to jinx anything, so I decided to wait until it was officially announced before telling anyone.”

He now joins a long list of New Zealanders who have turned out for the Scots including John and Martin Leslie, Brendan Laney and most notably, Sean Maitland.

What separates Jordan from the rest was the fact that no club or province in New Zealand gave him a chance – it took a trip 18,000 across the globe for that to happen.

Jordan was named to make his test debut off the bench against the Flying Fijians, and said the thing he was most nervous about was singing the national anthem, Flower of Scotland.

Scotland's Tom Jordan pictured playing against Portugal. Photo / AFP

“The night before, I had to do an anthem check on the bus after captain’s run so I had to sing the anthem in front of all the boys and luckily, I made no mistakes,” he explained.

“A couple hours before the match, you drive in on the bus and there are thousands of people there to cheer you on, and then you get bagpiped into the stadium which is unreal.

“But when you are out on the field and the anthem is playing, they cut the music and you can hear close to 70,000 people singing, it gives you goosebumps.”

The occasion was made all the more special by his dad flying over from New Zealand for the match, the first time he was able to watch his son in the flesh since his days at Hamilton Old Boys.

Late in the first half, Jordan was thrown in the deep end, coming on as a substitute at fullback to become cap No 1231. His cameo in a position he doesn’t usually cover was that impressive, Townsend handed Jordan the No 15 jersey for the next two tests against South Africa and Portugal – the latter game saw him claim man-of-the-match honours.

It turned out to be a successful campaign for Scotland, winning tests against Fiji, Portugal, and Australia, but there was also a 32-15 loss to the Springboks.

Jordan says the defeat hurt, as they thought it was a missed opportunity to beat the world champions.

“We had more opportunities in the red zone compared to them, we just couldn’t capitalise,” he said. “I would hope on another day we would have taken those chances, but having the opportunity to test myself against the best was awesome.

“The intensity was next level. The Boks are renowned for their physicality.”

Standing at 1.89m-tall, Jordan possesses a unique set of skills for a first-five, with the traditional traits of a 10, but the power and running game of a midfielder.

BBC Scotland Rugby Reporter Andy Burke has followed Jordan’s career since his arrival at Glasgow and told the Herald he already has the poise of a 50-test veteran.

“He was arguably Scotland’s standout player in the Autumn Nations Series,” Burke said. “His physicality is his point of difference as a first five. He’s as tough as any backrower.

“His attacking threat with ball in hand means he’s less reliant on kicking than many 10s, and that running game came to the fore when he was deployed at 15 to great effect by Scotland.

“He has had to scrap his way to the top. Speak to the Warriors players from that period and they’ll tell you he was mostly known as the guy making the teas and coffees.

“What most people in Scotland agree on though is that this is a player Gregor Townsend simply cannot ignore, and he will have a big role to play in the Six Nations.”

Jordan was full of joy last week reading the news that Scotland will play the Māori All Blacks in Whangārei on July 5 next year.

With a host of Scotland players set to be picked by Andy Farrell for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia next year, Jordan will likely play a pivotal role for Townsend’s team.

Excluding the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Scotland have not stepped on New Zealand soil in 25 years – the last time they faced the Māori All Blacks.

Tom Jordan felt Scotland deserved more against South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

They were due to play the All Blacks in Dunedin four years ago, but the match was scrapped because of Covid. Having played all his professional rugby in the Northern Hemisphere, the prospect of playing closer to home is enticing to Jordan.

“It saves me a trip home so I will be able to spend some time with my family,” Jordan joked. “Playing in front of all my family who haven’t seen me play in years, only two hours from home would be cool.”

Before then, Jordan is determined to leave no stone unturned with the Warriors following his decision to leave for Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears in the English Premiership.

Lam called Jordan “one of the most exciting talents in European rugby”, highlighting his performances in the playoffs for Glasgow en-route to the URC title.

The club used a play on words to announce his signing, labelling him “Bear Jordan” – something which might stick if all goes well in Bristol.

Jordan admits leaving his adopted home will be tough, but says he’s determined to finish on a positive note.

“I’m excited for the challenge to play in a new comp against some of the best 10s in the world, but I’m really focused to do well at Glasgow. It’s motived me more to go hard for the rest of the season and defend our URC title and chase European glory.

“In rugby, I want to experience as much as I can. I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking opportunities, so I am looking forward to it.”

Despite the adversity, Jordan feels the uncertainty and emotion he endured was worth it.

“The whole journey has been hectic, and I have not had much time to reflect. It’s been an incredible journey and I’m just grateful for all the support from everyone over here and New Zealand, it has been overwhelming.

“It’s been nice to take a moment and think ‘shit, it’s been a cool journey’.”