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Rugby World Cup 2015: The Potential Record-Breakers
Which current Rugby World Cup stars stand in line to cement their names in World Cup history? We take a closer-look…
The 2015 Rugby World Cup has already seen some of the tournament’s most iconic records being broken, but a closer look at the stats reveals that some more are in line to be shattered, along with some surprising record-holders still topping the lists.
We took a closer look at the official Rugby World Cup all-time stats to see who’s in the running for some big honours.
The most recent and notable record-breaker (and potential multi-record-breaker) is that of Springbok winger Bryan Habana, who managed to equal Jonah Lomu’s World Cup try record of 15 tries. Given that Habana still has at least one more game against Wales in the quarter-finals (and more if the Springboks are successful), we should see Habana overtake Lomu and carve his name in rugby history. The only other current player in contention to break the record is Australia’s Drew Mitchell, who sits on 12 World Cup tries.
Schalk Burger has made more carries over the gain line (79) than any other player in the history of the tournament, ahead of Richie McCaw (76) and Lawrence Dallaglio (77). Burger is also No. 3 in the most tackles made in World Cups with 173, sitting right behind Thierry Dusautoir (178) and McCaw (193).
Victor Matfield sits at No. 4 on the all-time World Cup lineout steals (with 15). Scotland’s Doddie Weir holds the top spot with 22. So if Matfield can nab 7 more steals in this tournament, he’ll move into the greatest World Cup lineout stealer of all time.
In one of the most interesting statistic logs, former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen tops the all-time turnovers list with 23 steals. Current Wallaby flank David Pocock is second with 22, and All Black captain Richie McCaw at fourth place with 19. Former New Zealand player Josh Kronfeld is in third with 20.
In terms of metres made, Bryan Habana is also in the running to top the list. He sits at No. 3 with 961, just behind former England fullback Jason Robinson (999) and Jonah Lomu (1219). If Habana can rack up 258 running metres in South Africa’s next few games, he will become the player with the most metres made in Rugby World Cup history.
Some of the notable records below:
Most tries
- 15 – Bryan Habana (SA)
- 15 – Jonah Lomu (NZ)
- 13 – Doug Howlett (NZ)
- 12 – Drew Mitchell (Aus)
Most carries over gain line
- 79 – Schalk Burger (SA)
- 77 – Lawrence Dallaglio (Eng)
- 76 – Richie McCaw (NZ)
- 76 – Ovidiu Tonita (Rom)
- 72 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ire)
Most lineout steals
- 22 – John Eales (Aus)
- 22 – Doddie Weir (Sco)
- 15 – Victor Matfield (SA)
- 15 – Juan Smith (SA)
- 15 – Neil Francis (Ire)
Most metres made
- 1 219 – Jonah Lomu (NZ)
- 999 – Jason Robinson (Eng)
- 961 – Bryan Habana (SA)
- 892 – Glen Osborne (Eng)
- 838 – Josh Lewsey (Eng)
Most turnovers won
- 23 – Joost van der Westhuizen (SA)
- 22 – David Pocock (Aus)
- 20 – Josh Kronfeld (NZ)
- 19 – Richie McCaw (NZ)
- 17 – Brian Lima (Sam)
- 17 – Neil Back (Eng)
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Paul
October 13, 2015 at 11:14
Habana!!!!!!!
That's what she said
October 13, 2015 at 11:15
How many more tries does Habana need to have made the most international tries?
Paul
October 13, 2015 at 11:15
Isn’t it 4 or 5?
kyle S
October 13, 2015 at 11:18
Isn’t the guy with the record Japanese?
Clive
October 13, 2015 at 11:16
Looks I think the line out steals record won’t be broken. Matfield is looking terrible.
Clive
October 13, 2015 at 11:17
And Juan Smith isn’t going to make some sort of comeback and magically appear in the team.
Joss
October 13, 2015 at 11:18
I was just about to say something similar
Craig M
October 13, 2015 at 11:19
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
bokke bokke
October 13, 2015 at 11:19
Wouldn’t that be magical
There Will Be Only One
October 13, 2015 at 15:45
hehehehehehehehe 🙂
Louisville
October 13, 2015 at 11:20
Come on Habana!!!!
Hansie
October 13, 2015 at 11:21
Habana needs to get 5 in this game!
jhb_boet
October 13, 2015 at 11:21
Maybe 2 in this game, 1 in the semifinals and 3 in the finals.
jeff f
October 13, 2015 at 11:22
Yeah buddy!!!!!
There Will Be Only One
October 13, 2015 at 15:45
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
bokke
October 13, 2015 at 15:44
Come on bokke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There Will Be Only One
October 13, 2015 at 15:44
YESSSS
There Will Be Only One
October 13, 2015 at 15:44
Bokke bokke bokke!!!