1,598
Most points in men's Tests
The fly-half's total across 112 Tests remains the men's international record, built on a near-flawless goal-kicking game and rare longevity at the top.
Rugby union's record book spans an amateur age of short careers and a professional era of long ones, so many marks reflect the modern game's greater volume of Tests. The figures below are the sport's headline achievements — the most points and tries, the most caps, the great World Cup landmarks, and the individual and team feats that have stood the test of time.
Where a record is era-specific or has been overtaken, the note explains the context. All marks are for men's international rugby unless stated, and the professional era's expanded fixture list means several of these totals would have been unthinkable to the amateur greats who came before.
Records
69
Most tries in men's Tests
The Japan wing passed David Campese's 64 to set the all-time international try record; Bryan Habana's 67 is the record among tier-one nations.
170
Most international caps
The Wales and Lions lock (158 for Wales, 12 for the Lions) is the most-capped player in the history of international rugby union.
4
Most Rugby World Cup titles
The Springboks won in 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023 to become the first four-time champions; New Zealand have three, Australia two, England one.
15
Most Rugby World Cup tries
Lomu set the mark across 1995 and 1999; Habana equalled it over three tournaments from 2007 to 2015. No player has passed it.
8
Most tries in one World Cup
Jonah Lomu (1999), Bryan Habana (2007) and Julian Savea (2015) each scored eight tries in a single tournament, the shared record.
142 points
Record World Cup winning margin
The largest margin in World Cup history; New Zealand's 145-17 win over Japan in 1995 remains the highest points total in a match.
45
Most points by a player in a Test
The fly-half scored 45 points on his debut against Japan at the 1995 World Cup, a tally no player has beaten in a Test match.
6
Most tries by a player in a Test
Ellis crossed six times against Japan at the 1995 World Cup, the record for tries by one player in a single international.
18 Tests
Longest tier-one winning streak
The All Blacks won 18 consecutive Tests against major nations before Ireland beat them 40-29 in Chicago in November 2016.
3 each
Most World Player of the Year awards
The two All Black team-mates, cornerstones of the 2011 and 2015 sides, each won the sport's top individual honour three times, more than any other player.
5 tours, 17 Tests
Most British & Irish Lions tours
The Ireland lock toured five times and won a record 17 Lions Test caps, captaining the unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa.
36
Most drop goals in Tests
The England fly-half's tally of Test drop goals, including his famous extra-time winner in the 2003 World Cup final, is the all-time international record.
109,874
Record crowd for a rugby match
A Bledisloe Cup Test at Stadium Australia in Sydney drew the largest crowd ever to watch a rugby union match.
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