Rugby World Cup Records & Trivia
The Rugby World Cup is a haven for stats buffs and anoraks - but for those of us in the real world it does make for some great reading. Here are some interesting things you didn’t know (or perhaps did) about the greatest show on earth - The Rugby World Cup!
Top points scorers
227 - Gavin Hastings (Scotland), 195 - Michael Lynagh (Australia), 182 - Jonny Wilkinson (England), 170 - Grant Fox (New Zealand), 163 - Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand), 135 - Gonzalo Quesada (Argentina), 125 - Matt Burke (Australia), 124 - Thierry Lacroix (France), 120 - Gareth Rees (Canada), 103 - Frederic Michalak (France).
Top try scorers
15 - Jonah Lomu (New Zealand), 11 - Rory Underwood (England), 10 - David Campese (Australia) and Brian Lima (Samoa).
Most appearances
23 - Jason Leonard (England); 18 - Martin Johnson (England), Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand) and Richard Loe (New Zealand); 17 - Joost van der Westhuizen (South Africa); 16 - Abdel Benazi (France), Fabien Galthie (France), Brian Lima (Samoa), Michael Lynagh (Australia), George Gregan (Australia), Rob Andrew (England), Brian Moore (England), Rory Underwood (England).
Most drop-goals
8 - Jonny Wilkinson (England), 6 - Jannie De Beer (South Africa), 5 - Rob Andrew (England) and Gareth Rees (Canada).
Most penalties
39 - Jonny Wilkinson (England), 36 - Gavin Hastings (Scotland), 35 - Gonzalo Quesada (Argentina).
Most conversions
39 - Gavin Hastings (Scotland), 37 - Grant Fox (New Zealand), 36 - Michael Lynagh (Australia).
Biggest victory
Australia 142 Namibia 0 (2003 World Cup).
Most individual points in one game
45 - Simon Culhane (New Zealand v Japan, 1995 World Cup).
Average points per game
New Zealand 44.6, England 34.2, Australia 34, France 33.4, South Africa 32.7, Scotland 32.1, Ireland 29, Samoa 26.6, Wales 24.9, Argentina 24.1.
