Try-scoring star Jackson Ford rapt to 'get 50 games that quick' for Warriors
Saturday, 26 April 2025
Jackson Ford - fresh from the first try-scoring double of his NRL career - can’t believe he’s reached the 50-game milestone for the Warriors so quickly.
The 27-year-old came off the bench to dot down twice in the Warriors’ 26-16 Anzac Day win over the Knights in Christchurch in his 50th appearance for his adopted club.
Coach Andrew Webster and captain Mitchell Barnett heaped praise on Ford’s efforts, but the phlegmatic Australian modestly played down his two tries, saying they were due to “lucky spot,right time, right place again” as he “pushed up’’ to back up teammates.
Ford came to New Zealand in 2023 after limited opportunities in four first grade seasons with St George-Illawarra.
“I came from the Dragons and I think I had 32 [games there] and now I’ve already hit up 50 for the Warriors.
“I was coming over here for an opportunity, not even sure I was going to play NRL.
“To get 50 games that quick in the amount of time I’ve been here is a pretty good achievement.”
Ford has had some memorable milestones off the field too. “I’ve just got engaged to my partner and we’ve got a house over here now.”
The double in Christchurch took Ford to nine tries in three seasons for the Warriors after two for the Dragons.
When he arrived in Auckland he was predominantly a backrower, but he has been exclusively a front rower this season.
“At the start of pre-season Webby told me he wants me in the middle this year,’’ said Ford, who felt his coach thought he had ”a good motor’’ which could an asset “with the game getting so fast now’’.
Ford was initially selected for a second successive start in the second row following the pectoral injury to captain James Fisher-Harris in Melbourne.
But Webster juggled his lineup prior to kickoff, moving Marata Niukore from the back row to the middle and giving Leka Halasima a second straight start in the second row.
Ford was unfazed by the switch, saying “I’ve been on the bench a bit as well, it’s pretty easy [to adjust. That was my rle in the firt few rounds.
“Not too much [changes] to be honest. I sort of get the same minutes coming off the bench or starting.”
Webster was delighted for Ford to mark his milestones with a couple of tries, saying: “He doesn’t brag, he’s a pretty modest guy, Jacko, but if I was him, I’d be bragging - two tries for a front rower and he scored one near the corner post.”
But he wasn’t surprised the mobile forward was on hand to score twice. “He’s fit, he’s there all the time, he makes his own luck, Jacko. I’m really happy for him, he had a real impact when he came on.
Barnett said Ford had taken a lot of confidence from a good pre-season after he “came off an ankle surgery’’ last year. ”This year he got in on day one.
“He’s someone who doesn’t complain about nothing. You put him out on the field, and he’s always going to turn up.”
In his 46 minutes, Ford made 147m with the ball in had - second only to Erin Clark (155m) among the Warriors forwards - and he made 26 tackles.
Clark continued his strong start to the second stage of his Warriors career, topping the tackle count with 45 and also collecting a try assist.
“I’m happy here, bro,’’ the Kiwis international said. ”I’m valued here and I’m learning heaps under this coaching staff and the players.“
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