These are men's International Team records in international rugby,[1] updated at the conclusion of the November Internationals window each year.
To view men's individual records, see International rugby union player records. To view records of the men's Rugby World Cup, see Records and statistics of the Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby Ranking Leaders Team
World Rankings
Highest rankings
Below is a list of the best and worst ranking positions for all nations who have ever been ranked among the top ten, since the ranking tables were first published on the 13 October 2003:
Team | Best | Worst |
Rank | Year(s) | Rank | Year(s) |
New Zealand | 1 | 2003, 2004–07, 2008, 2009, 2009–19, 2019, 2021 | 5 | 2022 |
South Africa | 1 | 2007–08, 2009, 2019, 2019–22, 2023–24 | 7 | 2017, 2018 |
England | 1 | 2003, 2003–04, 2019 | 8 | 2009, 2015–16, 2023 |
Ireland | 1 | 2019, 2022–23 | 9 | 2013 |
Wales | 1 | 2019 | 10 | 2007, 2013, 2023, 2024 |
France | 1 | 2022 | 10 | 2018, 2019 |
Australia | 2 | 2003, 2004–05, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011–12, 2015–16 | 10 | 2023, 2024 |
Argentina | 3 | 2007–08 | 12 | 2014 |
Scotland | 5 | 2017, 2017–18, 2018, 2023 | 12 | 2012, 2013, 2015 |
Fiji | 7 | 2023 | 16 | 2011–2012 |
Samoa | 7 | 2012–2013 | 17 | 2018, 2019 |
Japan | 7 | 2019 | 20 | 2003–2004, 2006 |
Italy | 8 | 2007, 2024 | 15 | 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
Tonga | 9 | 2011–2012 | 20 | 2005–2006 |
Most World Ranking points
Below is a list of the Top 10 most accumulated ranking points and corresponding fewest ranking points, since the ranking tables were first published on the 13 October 2003:
Team | Most | Fewest |
Rating Points | Date Achieved | Rating Points | Date Achieved |
New Zealand | 96.57 | 10 October 2016 | 85.79 | 29 August 2022 |
South Africa | 94.54 | 30 October 2023 | 80.63 | 20 October 2003 |
England | 93.99 | 24 November 2003 | 77.79 | 17 September 2007 |
Ireland | 93.79 | 25 September 2023 | 77.25 | 16 June 2008 |
Australia | 91.75 | 26 October 2015 | 76.50 | 25 September 2023 |
France | 90.59 | 11 September 2023 | 77.02 | 4 February 2019 |
Wales | 89.96 | 18 March 2019 | 74.17 | 1 October 2007 |
Argentina | 87.45 | 22 October 2007 | 73.97 | 23 June 2014 |
Scotland | 84.43 | 26 February 2018 | 72.91 | 14 November 2005 |
Japan | 82.08 | 14 October 2019 | 61.42 | 3 November 2003 |
Longest tenure ranked at No. 1
England were ranked as No. 1 when the rankings were introduced in late 2003. New Zealand hold the record for the longest run as the No. 1 World Ranked team, spending just less than three months short of 10 years uninterrupted atop the rankings. South Africa currently top the world rankings. Not shown on the table, but the other nations to have been ranked No. 1, are Wales, spending two weeks in the top spot in 2019, before relinquishing the No. 1 spot to New Zealand, and France who held No. 1 for a week in 2022. Tenures are correct as of the last ranking update on 16 October 2023:
Nations in bold indicate the tenure is ongoing.
- ^1 South Africa did not play any matches in the 2020 calendar year due to complications faced with preparation and travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- ^2 Amongst South Africa's matches in their recent tenure at No. 1 are three matches against British & Irish Lions, which do not affect ranking points.
Key: y = years, m = months, d = days.
Most matches played ranked at No. 1
New Zealand hold the record for the most matches played whilst defending the No. 1 World Ranking, playing 128 matches during that time. South Africa currently top the world rankings. Not shown on the table, but the other nations to have been ranked No. 1, are Wales, spending two weeks in the top spot in 2019, before relinquishing the No. 1 spot to New Zealand, and France who held No. 1 for a week in 2022. Tenures are correct as of 16 October 2023:
Nations in bold indicate the tenure is ongoing.
Key: y = years, m = months, d = days.
All-time
Most matches
Most Tests Played[5] Matches | Team | Debut | Wins | Lost | Drawn | % |
817 | France | 1906 | 451 | 332 | 34 | 55.2% |
794 | England | 1871 | 443 | 299 | 52 | 55.79% |
791 | Wales | 1881 | 406 | 355 | 30 | 51.33% |
751 | Ireland | 1875 | 357 | 362 | 32 | 47.54% |
747 | Scotland | 1871 | 327 | 387 | 33 | 43.78% |
684 | Australia | 1899 | 341 | 321 | 22 | 49.85% |
637 | New Zealand | 1903 | 489 | 125 | 23 | 76.77% |
552 | Italy | 1929 | 200 | 337 | 15 | 36.23% |
542 | South Africa | 1891 | 342 | 176 | 24 | 63.1% |
494 | Argentina | 1929 | 248 | 232 | 14 | 50.2% |
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 18 March 2024
Most wins
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 18 March 2024
Most points
Most Team Points[7] Points | Team | Debut | Matches | Aga | Diff | PPM | PAPM |
18,195 | New Zealand | 1903 | 637 | 8,704 | +9,491 | 28.56 | 13.66 |
15,591 | France | 1906 | 817 | 12,745 | +2,846 | 19.08 | 15.6 |
14,465 | Australia | 1899 | 684 | 12,471 | +1,994 | 21.15 | 18.23 |
14,309 | England | 1871 | 794 | 10,533 | +3,776 | 18.02 | 13.27 |
14,111 | Wales | 1881 | 791 | 12,564 | +1,547 | 17.84 | 15.88 |
13,475 | Argentina | 1910 | 494 | 10,326 | +3,149 | 27.28 | 20.9 |
12,895 | South Africa | 1891 | 542 | 8,817 | +4,078 | 23.79 | 16.27 |
12,235 | Ireland | 1875 | 751 | 10,747 | +1,488 | 16.29 | 14.31 |
11,169 | Scotland | 1871 | 747 | 11,169 | -398 | 14.95 | 15.48 |
10,923 | Romania | 1919 | 486 | 9,264 | +1,659 | 22.48 | 19.06 |
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 18 March 2024
Most consecutive wins
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 or 3 nations.
Most consecutive wins by a Tier I nation
Most consecutive matches without loss
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 or 3 nations.
^2 New Zealand recorded multiple draws in its unbeaten run, as shown.
Most consecutive matches without loss by a Tier I nation
^2 New Zealand and ^3 South Africa both recorded multiple draws in their unbeaten runs, as shown.
Highest match attendance
Top 10 Highest Attendances[10] Attendance | Stadium | Country | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 | Date |
109,874 | ANZ Stadium | Sydney, Australia | Australia | 35–39 | New Zealand | 15 Jul 2000[11] |
107,042 | ANZ Stadium | Sydney, Australia | Australia | 28–7 | New Zealand | 28 Aug 1999[12] |
104,000 | Murrayfield Stadium | Edinburgh, Scotland | Scotland | 12–10 | Wales | 1 March 1975[13] |
103,000 | Ellis Park | Johannesburg, South Africa | South Africa | 22–23 | British and Irish Lions | 6 Aug 1955[14] |
95,000 | Dinamo Stadion | Bucharest, Romania | Romania | 15–18 | France | 19 May 1957[15] |
94,713 | FNB Stadium | Johannesburg, South Africa | South Africa | 22–29 | New Zealand | 21 Aug 2010[16] |
90,978 | ANZ Stadium | Sydney, Australia | Australia | 29–26 | New Zealand | 1 Sep 2001[17] |
90,119 | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne, Australia | Australia | 18–33 | New Zealand | 26 Jul 1997[18] |
89,267 | Wembley Stadium | London, England | Ireland | 44–10 | Romania | 27 Sep 2015[19] |
89,019 | Wembley Stadium | London, England | Argentina | 16–26 | New Zealand | 20 Sep 2015[20] |
RWC titles
RWC tournament points
RWC tournament tries
RWC tournament conversions
RWC tournament penalties
RWC tournament drop goals
RWC match margins
RWC match points
RWC match tries
RWC match conversions
RWC match penalties
RWC match drop goals
Calendar year
Most wins
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
- New Zealand, England and France are the only three Tier 1 nations to complete a calendar year with a 100% win rate in the professional era (Aug. 1995-present).
Most points
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
Most tries
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
Most conversions
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
Most penalties
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
Most drop goals
Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.
Nations highlighted in italics are classed as Tier 2 in the professional era (Aug. 1995–present)
Matches
Team records within test matches.[50]
Most points
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most tries
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most conversions
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most penalties
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
- There are 18 Nations that have recorded 8 penalties in a Test Match. For the purpose of limiting the list to a reasonable size, the matches with the five highest scores by the team recording 8 penalties are shown here.
Most drop goals
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
- There are 37 instances that Nations have recorded 3 drop goals in a Test Match. For the purpose of limiting the list to a reasonable size, the matches with the seven highest scores by the team recording 3 drop goals are shown here.
Most aggregate points
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most aggregate tries
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most aggregate conversions
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
Most aggregate penalties
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
- There are 14 instances where 12 penalties have been recorded in a Test Match. For the purpose of limiting the list to a reasonable size, the five highest total-scoring matches are shown here.
Most aggregate drop goals
Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.
- There are 12 instances where 4 drop goals have been recorded in a Test Match. For the purpose of limiting the list to a reasonable size, the eight highest total scoring matches are shown here.
See also
References
- ^ "Rugby Test Records". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b "World Rugby Matches". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ a b "World Rugby Rankings". world.rugby. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team matches". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team wins". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team points". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Most consecutive wins". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Most consecutive matches without defeat". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Highest Match Attendance". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "Lomu clinches Tri-ations epic". bbc.co.uk. 15 July 2000. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Australia v New Zealand: a fierce rugby rivalry – in pictures". theguardian.com. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Archive: Record crowd at Murrayfield". bbc.com. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "1955 British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa". world.rugby. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Red & Yellow cards, Romania's record, Test status and Tri-Nations tours to France". Espn.co.uk. 1 Aug 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND SIX PREVIEW - SOUTH AFRICA VERSUS NEW ZEALAND". super.rugby. 5 Oct 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "All Blacks v Wallabies: Five great Sydney clashes". nz herald. 17 Aug 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Rugby union". mcg.org.au. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Ireland continue 100% record with Romania rout". Espn.co.uk. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Richie McCaw sin-binned as NZ labour to victory". telegraph.co.uk. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team points in a tournament". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team tries in a tournament". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team conversions in a tournament". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team penalties in a tournament". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team drop goals in a tournament". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "All Time RWC Team Records". Rugbyworldcup.com. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Most team points in a rwc match". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team tries in a rwc match". ESPN. 26 September 2015. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team conversions in a rwc match". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team penalties in a rwc match". ESPN. 26 September 2015.[dead link]
- ^ "Most team drop goals in a rwc match". Espnscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most team wins in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team points in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team tries in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Most South Africa team conversions in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most New Zealand team conversions in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most England team conversions in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Wales team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most New Zealand team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Australia team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most England team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most France team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Wales team penalties in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most England drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most France drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Scotland drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Romania drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most South Africa drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Most Argentina drop goals in a calendar year". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ "Rugby Test Matches Archive". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team points in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team tries in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team conversions in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team penaltiess in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most team drop goals in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most Total points in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most total team tries in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most total team conversions in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most total team penalties in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Most total team drop goals in a match". ESPNscrum.com. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
External links
- Rugby Union Records
- Rugby Union Match Archive