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Rugby · Interesting Facts

Chapter 2: Records & Statistics

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

The numbers behind the game: record scores, caps, points, tries, winning runs, World Cup records, the youngest and oldest, record crowds, drop goals and the coaches who won it all.

2.21Record Scores

The biggest scorelines in test rugby, and the players who ran up the numbers.

Test 1Record scoresTake a test

  1. The match was a Rugby World Cup qualifier in Kuala Lumpur.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  2. No player has scored more tries in a full international.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  3. New Zealand won 145-17, a World Cup record score at the time.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  4. Chris Latham scored five of Australia's 22 tries in Adelaide.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  5. Charlie Hodgson scored 44 points on his debut that day.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  6. No England player has scored more in a single test.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  7. The match was played in Mendoza.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  8. 134, 142, 145 and 164 points.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  9. 1994, 1995, 2001 and 2003.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  10. Australia ran in 22 tries against Namibia in 2003.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · applied

2.22Most Caps

The players who wore their country's shirt more often than anyone else.

Test 1Most capsTake a test

  1. His 170 tests span 2006 to 2023.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  2. A second-row forward for Wales and the Lions.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  3. He passed Richie McCaw's 148 tests.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  4. He had overtaken Brian O'Driscoll's record that year.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  5. Etzebeth reached 147 caps.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  6. The loosehead prop passed Brian O'Driscoll's Ireland total.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  7. No player has captained his country in more tests.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  8. 137, 147, 148, 153 and 170.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  9. 2015, 2020 and 2023.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · recall

  10. Twelve Lions tests on top of his 158 for Wales.

    Source: World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby) · applied

2.23Points Machines

The kickers whose boots filled the record books.

Test 1Points machinesTake a test

  1. He also scored 29 tries, 293 conversions and 8 drop goals.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  2. He played 112 tests for New Zealand.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  3. A penalty took him to 1,181 points, two more than Wilkinson's 1,179.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  4. 67 Lions points take his test total to 1,246.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  5. Jenkins reached the mark in 1999.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  6. He played a handful of tests for Argentina before becoming Italy's great fly-half.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  7. Sexton became Ireland's top scorer in 2023.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  8. Andrew scored 396 for England; Wilkinson 1,179; Farrell passed him in 2023.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  9. 1999, 2015 and 2023.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · recall

  10. Owen Farrell later passed that England record, in 2023.

    Source: Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records · applied

2.24Try Machines

Wings, centres and one remarkable hooker: the great try scorers.

Test 1Try machinesTake a test

  1. Campese had held the record since the 1990s.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  2. The South African wing played from 2004 to 2016.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  3. Habana drew level with Lomu at the 2015 World Cup.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  4. Lomu (1999), Habana (2007) and Julian Savea (2015) had set it before him.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  5. Ellis played on the wing that day in Bloemfontein.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  6. He was World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  7. Underwood played 85 tests for England between 1984 and 1996.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  8. 58, 64, 67 and 69.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · recall

  9. 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  10. A world record, set across 58 tests for Japan.

    Source: World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books · applied

2.25Winning Streaks

Runs of victories that no one could stop, from Cyprus to New Zealand.

Test 1Winning streaksTake a test

  1. The run ended against Latvia in 2014.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  2. The mouflon is the national animal of Cyprus.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  3. Ireland won 40-29 in Chicago in November 2016.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  4. Soldier Field hosted the match.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  5. Ireland denied England a second Grand Slam on the final weekend.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  6. The run began with the 2016 Grand Slam.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  7. Latvia won in Riga.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  8. 2008, 2015 and 2016.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  9. 2014, November 2016 and March 2017.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · recall

  10. A record that has stood since 2014.

    Source: World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records · applied

2.26World Cup Records

Points, appearances and tournaments: the records the World Cup keeps.

Test 1World Cup recordsTake a test

  1. He played at four tournaments from 1999 to 2011.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  2. The New Zealand fly-half kicked 20 conversions and scored a try.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  3. He played at four tournaments, winning in 2011 and 2015.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  4. Lima played from 1991 to 2007 and was nicknamed 'the Chiropractor'.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  5. His tackles were said to rearrange opponents' bones.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  6. Both played at five World Cups for Italy.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  7. Hastings scored four tries and kicked nine conversions and two penalties.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  8. 1995, 2003, 2015 and 2023.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  9. Two, four and five.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · recall

  10. A record across 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics · applied

2.27Youngest and Oldest

Teenagers at the World Cup, a forty-year-old in Wales and other age records.

Test 1Youngest and oldestTake a test

  1. The Georgian scrum-half played against Tonga.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  2. He started at scrum-half for the Lelos.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  3. A veterinarian by profession, he also scored a try against Spain.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  4. The game was still amateur in Uruguay.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  5. He was 19 years and 45 days old against France.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  6. France won that series 2-0.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  7. The oldest try-scorer at a World Cup.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  8. 18, 20 and 40.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  9. 1994, 1999 and 2015.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · recall

  10. 18 years and 340 days.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records · applied

2.28Record Crowds

The biggest crowds to watch rugby union, from Sydney to Barcelona.

Test 1Record crowdsTake a test

  1. They watched New Zealand beat Australia 39-35.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  2. Jonah Lomu scored a late winning try.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  3. Racing 92 beat Toulon 29-21 in Barcelona.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  4. Racing beat Toulon despite playing most of the match with fourteen.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  5. The home of Gaelic games, used while Lansdowne Road was rebuilt.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  6. 90,307 watched in Melbourne.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  7. The Lions test of 2025 was a rare rugby union match there.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  8. 82,208, 90,307, 99,124 and 109,874.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  9. 2000, 2009, 2016 and 2025.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · recall

  10. The Top 14 final moved to the Camp Nou for one year in 2016.

    Source: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour · applied

2.29Drop Goal Records

Three points from a dropped ball: the record holders.

Test 1Drop goal recordsTake a test

  1. His most famous won the 2003 World Cup final.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  2. South Africa won the quarter-final in Paris 44-21.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  3. The quarter-final was played at the Stade de France.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  4. Wilkinson was left-footed; the winning kick came off his weaker right.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  5. Porta was Argentina's great playmaker of the 1970s and 80s.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  6. Andrew's late drop goal beat Australia at the 1995 World Cup.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  7. The quarter-final in Cape Town ended 25-22.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  8. 23 (21 for England, 2 for the Lions), 28 and 36.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  9. 1995, 1999 and 2003.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · recall

  10. Five drop goals helped South Africa past England.

    Source: Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals · applied

2.30World Cup Coaches

The men behind the winning teams, and a few remarkable careers.

Test 1World Cup coachesTake a test

  1. Christie's unbeaten record is unique among World Cup-winning coaches.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  2. Woodward was knighted after the win.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  3. New Zealand became the first team to retain the title.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  4. Jones had also taken Australia to the 2003 final.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  5. Henry had coached Wales and the 2001 Lions before that.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  6. John Smit was his captain.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  7. Bob Dwyer had won the first one in 1991.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  8. 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  9. 2003, 2015 and 2019.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · recall

  10. Australia beat England 12-6 in the final.

    Source: Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records · applied

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: World Rugby and its Hall of Fame and records, the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham, the unions' own histories (RFU, WRU, SRU, IRFU, FFR, NZR, SA Rugby, Rugby Australia), Rugby School, the clubs' and competitions' own histories, the IOC, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.

  • Rugby World Cup records and match reports (rugbyworldcup.com); World Rugby statistics17
  • World Rugby and ESPN Scrum statistics; Guinness World Records; the unions' own record books13
  • World Rugby and the unions' records of test caps (Welsh Rugby Union, New Zealand Rugby, FIR, IRFU, SA Rugby)10
  • Six Nations Rugby, 'Owen Farrell: career in numbers' (sixnationsrugby.com); RFU, New Zealand Rugby and WRU records10
  • World Rugby records of consecutive test wins; Rugby Europe match records; RFU and New Zealand Rugby records10
  • Rugby World Cup records of the youngest and oldest players; New Zealand Rugby and Georgian Rugby Union records10
  • Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) records; LNR, Top 14 final 2016; EPCR, 2009 Heineken Cup semi-final; British & Irish Lions, 2025 tour10
  • Rugby World Cup 1999 quarter-final report (South Africa v England, Paris); RFU and World Rugby records of drop goals10
  • Rugby World Cup records of winning coaches; New Zealand Rugby, SA Rugby, RFU and Rugby Australia coaching records10