International rugby union team records

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.

Men's World Rugby Rankings

• v
• t
• e

Top 20 as of 21 July 2025 ^[2]

Rank	Change [i]	Team	Points
1		South Africa	092.78
2		New Zealand	092.06
3		Ireland	089.83
4		France	087.82
5		England	087.64
6		Australia	082.08
7		Argentina	082.05
8		Scotland	081.57
9		Fiji	080.50
10		Italy	077.77
11		Georgia	074.69
12		Wales	074.05
13		Samoa	072.48
14		Japan	072.29
15		Spain	069.12
16		United States	068.45
17		Uruguay	067.52
18		Portugal	066.44
19		Tonga	065.46
20		Chile	063.83
21		Romania	062.67
22		Belgium	061.20
23		Hong Kong	059.98
24	2	Zimbabwe	058.80
25	1	Canada	057.75
26	1	Netherlands	057.01
27	2	Namibia	056.86
28		Brazil	055.90
29		Switzerland	055.26
30		Poland	054.06

1. Change from the previous week

Source: World Rugby ^[2]
Graph updated to 21 July 2025

World Rugby Ranking Leaders

Team

World Rankings

Main article: World Rugby 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, 2008-2009, 2009–19, 2019, 2021	5	2022
South Africa	1	2007–08, 2008, 2009, 2019–21, 2021-22, 2023–24, 2024–25	7	2017, 2018
England	1	2003, 2003–04, 2019	8	2009, 2015–16, 2023
Ireland	1	2019, 2022–23, 2024	9	2013
France	1	2022	10	2018, 2019
Wales	1	2019	14	2025
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	94.86	08 July 2024	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	72.65	7 July 2025
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

See also: Raeburn Shield

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 27 January 2025:

Tenures at No. 1 ^{[3] [4]}

Tenure	Team	Start	Matches	End	Last Match	Preceded By	Succeeded By
3563d (9y9m3d)	New Zealand	16 November 2009	128	19 August 2019	36–0   Australia	South Africa	Wales
1225d (3y4m8d)	New Zealand	14 June 2004	47	22 October 2007	18–20   France	England	South Africa
658d (1y9m19d) 1 2	South Africa	4 November 2019	5	18 September 2021	17–30   Australia	England	New Zealand
455d (1y2m28d)	Ireland	18 July 2022	16	16 October 2023	24–28   New Zealand	France	South Africa
343d (11m9d)	New Zealand	18 August 2008	16	27 July 2009	19–28   South Africa	South Africa	South Africa
343d (11m7d)	South Africa	16 October 2023	11	23 September 2024	28–29   Argentina	Ireland	Ireland
280d (9m7d)	South Africa	4 October 2021	5	11 July 2022	12–13   Wales	New Zealand	France
259d (8m15d)	South Africa	22 October 2007	5	7 July 2008	8–19   New Zealand	New Zealand	New Zealand
210d (6m28d)	England	17 November 2003	7	14 June 2004	3–36   New Zealand	New Zealand	New Zealand

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 2019-2021 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 27 January 2025:

Matches at No. 1 ^{[3] [4]}

Matches	Team	Start	Tenure	End	Last Match	Preceded By	Succeeded By
128	New Zealand	16 November 2009	3563d (9y9m3d)	19 August 2019	36–0   Australia	South Africa	Wales
47	New Zealand	14 June 2004	1225d (3y4m8d)	22 October 2007	18–20   France	England	South Africa
16	Ireland	18 July 2022	455d (1y2m28d)	16 October 2023	24–28   New Zealand	France	South Africa
16	New Zealand	18 August 2008	343d (11m9d)	27 July 2009	19–28   South Africa	South Africa	South Africa
11	South Africa	16 October 2023	343d (11m7d)	23 September 2024	28–29   Argentina	Ireland	Ireland
7	England	17 November 2003	210d (6m28d)	14 June 2004	3–36   New Zealand	New Zealand	New Zealand
6	South Africa	27 July 2009	112d (3m20d)	16 November 2009	13–20   France	New Zealand	New Zealand

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	%
831	France	1906	460	337	34	55.35%
809	England	1871	452	305	52	55.87%
804	Wales	1881	407	367	30	50.62%
764	Ireland	1875	367	365	32	48.04%
762	Scotland	1871	337	392	33	44.23%
700	Australia	1899	348	330	22	49.71%
654	New Zealand	1903	502	129	23	76.76%
566	Italy	1929	205	346	15	36.22%
558	South Africa	1891	356	178	24	63.8%
506	Argentina	1929	253	239	14	50%

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 26 July 2025

Most wins

Most Tests Won ^[6]

Wins	Team	Debut	Matches	Lost	Drawn	%
502	New Zealand	1903	654	129	23	76.76%
460	France	1906	831	337	34	55.35%
452	England	1871	809	305	52	55.87%
407	Wales	1881	804	367	30	50.62%
367	Ireland	1875	764	365	32	48.04%
356	South Africa	1891	558	178	24	63.8%
348	Australia	1899	700	330	22	49.71%
337	Scotland	1871	762	392	33	44.23%
280	Romania	1919	501	209	12	55.89%
253	Argentina	1929	506	239	14	50%

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 26 July 2025

Most points

Most Team Points ^[7]

Points	Team	Debut	Matches	Aga	Diff	PPM	PAPM
18,744	New Zealand	1903	654	9,036	+9,708	28.66	13.82
16,097	France	1906	831	13,104	+2,993	19.37	15.77
14,882	Australia	1899	700	12,958	+1,924	21.26	18.51
14,803	England	1871	809	10,838	+3,965	18.3	13.4
14,345	Wales	1881	804	13,028	+1,317	17.84	16.2
13,943	Argentina	1910	506	10,737	+3,206	27.56	21.22
13,487	South Africa	1891	558	9,071	+4,416	24.17	16.26
12,664	Ireland	1875	764	11,005	+1,659	16.58	14.4
11,695	Scotland	1871	762	11,871	-176	15.35	15.58
11,245	Romania	1919	501	9,685	+1,560	22.45	19.33

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 26 July 2025

Most consecutive wins

Most Consecutive Team Wins ^[8]

Wins	Team	First	Opp	Last	Opp	End	Score	Opp
24	Cyprus	20 November 2008	Azerbaijan	1 November 2014	Andorra	15 November 2014	20–39	Latvia
18	New Zealand	15 August 2015	Australia	22 October 2016	Australia	5 November 2016	29–40	Ireland
	England	10 October 2015	Uruguay	11 March 2017	Scotland	18 March 2017	9–13	Ireland
17	Ireland	9 July 2022	New Zealand	07 October 2023	Scotland	14 October 2023	24–28	New Zealand
	New Zealand	18 September 1965	South Africa	14 June 1969	Wales	25 May 1970	6–17	South Africa
	South Africa	23 August 1997	Australia	28 November 1998	Ireland	5 December 1998	7–13	England
	New Zealand	8 June 2013	France	21 June 2014	England	4 October 2014	25–27	South Africa
	Lithuania	28 October 2006	Norway	24 April 2010	Serbia	8 May 2010	16–27	Ukraine
16	New Zealand	9 September 2011	Tonga	06 October 2012	South Africa	20 October 2012	18–18	Australia
15	South Africa	8 October 1994	Argentina	02 July 1996	Fiji	13 July 1996	16–21	Australia
	New Zealand	13 August 2005	Australia	26 August 2006	South Africa	2 September 2006	20–21	South Africa
	New Zealand	19 September 2009	Australia	11 September 2010	Australia	30 October 2010	24–26	Australia

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 Team Wins by a Tier I nation ^[8]

Wins	Team	First	Opp	Last	Opp	End	Score	Opp
18	New Zealand	15 August 2015	Australia	22 October 2016	Australia	5 November 2016	29–40	Ireland
	England	10 October 2015	Uruguay	11 March 2017	Scotland	18 March 2017	9–13	Ireland
17	New Zealand	18 September 1965	South Africa	14 June 1969	Wales	25 May 1970	6–17	South Africa
	South Africa	23 August 1997	Australia	28 November 1998	Ireland	5 December 1998	7–13	England
	New Zealand	8 June 2013	France	21 June 2014	England	4 October 2014	25–27	South Africa
	Ireland	9 July 2022	New Zealand	07 October 2023	Scotland	14 October 2023	24–28	New Zealand
16	New Zealand	9 September 2011	Tonga	06 October 2012	South Africa	20 October 2012	18–18	Australia
15	South Africa	8 October 1994	Argentina	02 July 1996	Fiji	13 July 1996	16–21	Australia
	New Zealand	13 August 2005	Australia	26 August 2006	South Africa	2 September 2006	20–21	South Africa
	New Zealand	19 September 2009	Australia	11 September 2010	Australia	30 October 2010	24–26	Australia

Most consecutive matches without loss

Most Consecutive Team Matches Without Loss ^[9]

Matches	Team	First	Opp	Draw	Score	Opp	End	Score	Opp
24	Cyprus	20 November 2008	Azerbaijan	—	—	—	15 November 2014	20–39	Latvia
23	New Zealand	22 May 1987	Italy	16 July 1988	19–19	Australia	18 August 1990	9–21	Australia
22	New Zealand	8 June 2013	France	16 August 2014	12–12	Australia	4 October 2014	25–27	South Africa
20	New Zealand	9 September 2011	Tonga	20 October 2012	18–18	Australia	1 December 2012	21–38	England
18	New Zealand	15 August 2015	Australia	—	—	—	5 November 2016	29–40	Ireland
	England	10 October 2015	Uruguay	—	—	—	18 March 2017	9–13	Ireland
17	New Zealand 2	22 July 1961	France	25 August 1962/ 18 January 1964	9–9/ 0–0	Australia/   Scotland	29 August 1964	5–20	Australia
	New Zealand	18 September 1965	South Africa	—	—	—	25 May 1970	6–17	South Africa
	South Africa	23 August 1997	Australia	—	—	—	5 December 1998	7–13	England
	Lithuania	28 October 2006	Norway	—	—	—	8 May 2010	16–27	Ukraine
	Ireland	9 July 2022	New Zealand	—	—	—	14 October 2023	24–28	New Zealand

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

Most Consecutive Team Matches Without Loss by a Tier I nation ^[9]

Matches	Team	First	Opp	Draw	Score	Opp	End	Score	Opp
23	New Zealand	22 May 1987	Italy	16 July 1988	19–19	Australia	18 August 1990	9–21	Australia
22	New Zealand	8 June 2013	France	16 August 2014	12–12	Australia	4 October 2014	25–27	South Africa
20	New Zealand	9 September 2011	Tonga	20 October 2012	18–18	Australia	1 December 2012	21–38	England
18	New Zealand	15 August 2015	Australia	—	—	—	5 November 2016	29–40	Ireland
	England	10 October 2015	Uruguay	—	—	—	18 March 2017	9–13	Ireland
17	New Zealand 2	22 July 1961	France	25 August 1962 18 January 1964	9–9 0–0	Australia   Scotland	29 August 1964	5–20	Australia
	New Zealand	18 September 1965	South Africa	—	—	—	25 May 1970	6–17	South Africa
	South Africa	23 August 1997	Australia	—	—	—	5 December 1998	7–13	England
	Ireland	9 July 2022	New Zealand	—	—	—	14 October 2023	24–28	New Zealand
16	South Africa	6 August 1994	New Zealand	08 October 1994	18–18	New Zealand	13 July 1996	16–21	Australia

^2 New Zealand and ^3 South Africa both recorded multiple draws in their unbeaten runs, as shown.

Most consecutive matches without a win

Most Consecutive Team Matches Without a Win ^{[10] [11]}

Matches	Team	First	Opp	End	Opp
27	Singapore	22 November 1982	Korea	16 July 1997	Latvia
19	Samoa	4 June 1955	Fiji Warriors	1975	Tonga
18	Wales	14 October 2023	Argentina	12 July 2025	Japan
	France	28 January 1911	England	17 February 1920	Wales
	Azerbaijan	29 October 2005	Norway	TBD	TBD
17	Scotland	24 February 1951	Ireland	8 January 1955	France
	Paraguay	16 July 1983	Uruguay	19 August 1991	Chile
16	Japan	9 February 1936	New Zealand Universities	4 October 1959	Oxford & Cambridge
	Czech Republic	12 November 2005	Russia	19 April 2008	Russia
	Italy	4 October 2019	South Africa	20 November 2021	Uruguay

Nations in italics were classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 at the time of their losing streak, and primarily played other Tier 2 or 3 nations.

Most consecutive matches without a win by a tier I nation

Most Consecutive Team Matches Without a Win by a Tier I Nation ^{[10] [11]}

Matches	Team	First	Opp	End	Opp
18	Wales	14 October 2023	Argentina	12 July 2025	Japan
	France	28 January 1911	England	17 February 1920	Wales
17	Scotland	24 February 1951	Ireland	8 January 1955	France
16	Italy	4 October 2019	South Africa	20 November 2021	Uruguay
14	France	18 May 1924	United States	26 February 1927	Wales
13	Ireland	28 January 1882	Wales	20 February 1886	Scotland
	Scotland	5 March 1977	France	2 February 1980	Ireland
	Italy	8 November 2008	Australia	21 November 2009	South Africa
12	Australia	22 July 1899	British Lions	12 December 1908	Wales
	France	1 January 1906	New Zealand	28 March 1910	Ireland

Highest match attendance

Top 10 Highest Attendances ^[12]

Attendance	Stadium	Country	Team 1	Result	Team 2	Date	Ref.
109,874	ANZ Stadium	Sydney, Australia	Australia	35–39	New Zealand	15 July 2000	[13]
107,042	ANZ Stadium	Sydney, Australia	Australia	28–7	New Zealand	28 August 1999	[14] [15]
104,000	Murrayfield Stadium	Edinburgh, Scotland	Scotland	12–10	Wales	1 March 1975	[16]
95,000	Dinamo Stadion	Bucharest, Romania	Romania	15–18	France	19 May 1957	[17]
94,713	FNB Stadium	Johannesburg, South Africa	South Africa	22–29	New Zealand	21 August 2010	[18] [19] [20]
90,978	ANZ Stadium	Sydney, Australia	Australia	29–26	New Zealand	1 September 2001	[21] [22]
90,307	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne, Australia	Australia	26–29	British and Irish Lions	26 July 2025	[23] [24]
90,119	Melbourne Cricket Ground	Melbourne, Australia	Australia	18–33	New Zealand	26 July 1997	[25] [26]
90,000	Ellis Park	Johannesburg, South Africa	South Africa	22–23	British and Irish Lions	6 August 1955	[27] [28] [29]
89,267	Wembley Stadium	London, England	Ireland	44–10	Romania	27 September 2015	[30] [31]
89,019	Wembley Stadium	London, England	Argentina	16–26	New Zealand	20 September 2015	[32] [33]

Rugby World Cup

RWC titles

Main article: Records and statistics of the Rugby World Cup

Most titles won

Team	Titles	Tournaments	%
South Africa	4	1995, 2007, 2019, 2023	50%
New Zealand	3	1987, 2011, 2015	30%
Australia	2	1991, 1999	20%
England	1	2003	10%

RWC tournament points

Most points by a team in a single Tournament ^[34]

Points	Team	Tournament	Matches	Won	Lost	Draw	Diff	PPG
361	New Zealand	2003	7	6	1	0	+260	51.6
345	Australia	2003	7	6	1	0	+267	49.3
327	New Zealand	1995	6	5	1	0	+208	54.5
	England	2003	7	7	0	0	+239	46.7
	New Zealand	2007	5	4	1	0	+272	65.4
301	New Zealand	2011	7	7	0	0	+229	43.0
298	New Zealand	1987	6	6	0	0	+246	49.7

RWC tournament tries

Most tries by a team in a single Tournament ^[35]

Tries	Team	Tournament	Matches	TPG
52	New Zealand	2003	7	7.4
48	New Zealand	2007	5	9.6
43	New Zealand	1987	6	7.2
	Australia	2003	7	6.1
41	New Zealand	1995	6	6.8
40	New Zealand	2011	7	5.7

RWC tournament conversions

Most conversions by a team in a single Tournament ^[36]

Conversions	Team	Tournament	Matches	CPG
40	New Zealand	2003	7	5.7
36	New Zealand	2007	5	7.2
34	New Zealand	1995	6	5.7
32	Australia	2003	7	4.6
30	New Zealand	1987	6	5.0

RWC tournament penalties

Most penalties by a team in a single Tournament ^[37]

Penalties	Team	Tournament	Matches	PPG
32	Argentina	1999	5	6.4
26	France	1995	6	4.3
	England	1999	5	5.2
25	England	1995	6	4.2
	South Africa	2015	7	3.6
23	England	2003	7	3.3
22	New Zealand	1999	6	3.7
	France	2003	7	3.1

RWC tournament drop goals

Most drop goals by a team in a single Tournament ^[38]

Drop goals	Team	Tournament	Matches	DGPG
8	South Africa	1999	6	1.3
	England	2003	7	1.1
5	England	2007	7	0.7
4	Fiji	1991	3	1.3
	England	1995	6	0.7
	New Zealand	1995	6	0.7
	France	2003	7	0.6
	Argentina	2007	7	0.6
	Scotland	2011	4	1.0

RWC match margins

Biggest winning margins ^[39]

Margin	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
142	Australia	Namibia	142–0	24 October 2003
128	New Zealand	Japan	145–17	4 June 1995
98	New Zealand	Italy	101–3	14 October 1999
	England	Uruguay	111–13	2 November 2003
96	France	Namibia	96–0	21 September 2023
95	New Zealand	Portugal	108–13	15 September 2007

RWC match points

Most points by a team in a single match ^[40]

Points	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
145	New Zealand	Japan	145–17	4 June 1995
142	Australia	Namibia	142–0	24 October 2003
111	England	Uruguay	111–13	2 November 2003
108	New Zealand	Portugal	108–13	15 September 2007
101	New Zealand	Italy	101–3	14 October 1999
	England	Tonga	101–10	15 October 1999

RWC match tries

Most tries by a team in a single match ^[41]

Tries	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
22	Australia	Namibia	142–0	24 October 2003
21	New Zealand	Japan	145–17	4 June 1995
17	England	Uruguay	111–13	2 November 2003
16	New Zealand	Portugal	108–13	15 September 2007
14	New Zealand	Italy	101–3	14 October 1999

RWC match conversions

Most conversions by a team in a single match ^[42]

Conversions	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
20	New Zealand	Japan	145–17	4 June 1995
16	Australia	Namibia	142–0	24 October 2003
14	New Zealand	Portugal	108–13	15 September 2007
13	New Zealand	Tonga	91–7	24 October 2003
	England	Uruguay	111–13	2 November 2003
12	England	Tonga	101–10	15 October 1999
	South Africa	Namibia	87–0	22 September 2011

RWC match penalties

Most penalties by a team in a single match ^[43]

Penalties	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
8	Scotland	Tonga	41–5	30 May 1995
	France	Ireland	36–12	10 June 1995
	Argentina	Samoa	32–16	10 October 1999
	Australia	South Africa	27–21	30 October 1999
7	Argentina	Japan	33–12	16 October 1999
	England	Fiji	45–24	20 October 1999
	Argentina	Ireland	28–24	20 October 1999
	Ireland	Argentina	24–28	20 October 1999
	England	South Africa	21–44	24 October 1999
	Australia	France	35–12	6 November 1999
	New Zealand	Argentina	33–10	9 October 2011
	Wales	England	28–25	26 September 2015

RWC match drop goals

Most drop goals by a team in a single match ^[44]

Drop goals	Team	Opponent	Score	Date
5	South Africa	England	44–21	24 October 1999
3	Fiji	Romania	15–17	12 October 1991
	England	France	24–7	16 November 2003
	Argentina	Ireland	30–15	30 September 2007
	Namibia	Fiji	25–49	10 September 2011
	England	Argentina	27–10	9 September 2023

Calendar year

Most wins

Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.

Most wins in calendar year ^[45]

Wins	Team	Year	Matches	Lost	Draw	%
16	England	2003	17	1	0	94%
14	South Africa	2007	17	3	0	82%
	New Zealand	2013	14	0	0	100%
13	New Zealand	2008	15	2	0	87%
	New Zealand	2010	14	1	0	93%
	New Zealand	2016	14	1	0	93%
	England	2016	13	0	0	100%

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 points in calendar year ^[46]

Points	Team	Year	Matches	Aga	Diff	PPG
658	South Africa	2007	17	257	+401	38.7
644	England	2003	17	201	+443	37.9
602	New Zealand	2003	14	201	+395	43.0
594	New Zealand	2007	12	148	+446	49.5
584	New Zealand	1995	12	205	+379	48.7

Most tries

Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.

Most tries in calendar year ^[47]

Tries	Team	Year	Matches	TPG
81	New Zealand	2003	14	5.8
	South Africa	2007	17	4.8
80	New Zealand	2007	12	6.7
	New Zealand	2016	14	5.7
78	New Zealand	2018	14	5.6
74	South Africa	1997	13	5.7
72	New Zealand	1997	12	6.0
71	New Zealand	1995	12	5.9
70	England	2001	11	6.4
68	England	2003	17	4.0

Most conversions

Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.

Most conversions in calendar year

Conversions	Team	Year	Matches	CPG
62	South Africa	2007	17	3.7 [48]
60	New Zealand	2016	14	4.3 [49]
58	New Zealand	2003	14	4.1
	New Zealand	2007	12	4.8
57	New Zealand	2018	14	4.1
54	South Africa	1997	13	4.2
53	New Zealand	1995	12	4.4
	New Zealand	1997	12	4.4
	England	2003	17	3.1 [50]
	New Zealand	2017	14	3.8
49	New Zealand	2019	11	4.5
	England	2019	15	3.3

Most penalties

Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.

Most penalties in calendar year

Penalties	Team	Year	Matches	PPG
62	Wales	1999	14	4.4 [51]
56	New Zealand	2009	14	4.0 [52]
52	Australia	2012	15	3.5 [53]
51	England	2003	17	3.0 [54]
	France	2003	18	2.8 [55]
49	France	2007	17	2.9
48	New Zealand	1999	12	4.0
	England	2007	17	2.8
47	England	1995	12	3.6
46	Wales	1994	13	3.5
	South Africa	2010	14	3.3 [56]

Most drop goals

Teams that have played Tier 1 sides in 50% or more of their test matches in that year are eligible.

Most drop goals in calendar year

Drop goals	Team	Year	Matches	DGPG
15	England	2003	17	0.9 [57]
11	France	1967	12	0.9 [58]
9	France	1981	9	1.0
	Scotland	2010	10	0.9 [59]
8	France	1958	8	1.0
	France	1968	12	0.7
	Romania	1995	10	0.8 [60]
	South Africa	1999	13	0.6 [61]
	England	2007	17	0.5
7	France	1960	9	0.8
	France	1961	11	0.6
	Argentina	1971	8	0.9 [62]
	Argentina	1979	8	0.9
	France	1993	10	0.7
	France	2003	18	0.4

Nations highlighted in italics are classed as Tier 2 in the professional era (Aug. 1995–present)

Matches

Team records within test matches. ^[63]

Most points

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Highest Points Scored by One Team ^[64]

Pnts	Team	Score	Opp	Tries	Con	Pen	Date
145	New Zealand	145–17	Japan	21	20	0	4 June 1995
142	Australia	142–0	Namibia	22	16	0	25 October 2003
134	England	134–0	Romania	20	14	2	17 November 2001
	South Africa	134–3	Uruguay	21	13	1	11 June 2005
111	England	111–13	Uruguay	17	13	0	2 November 2003
108	New Zealand	108–13	Portugal	16	14	0	15 September 2007
106	Ireland	106–7	Portugal	16	12	0	12 July 2025
	England	106–8	United States	16	13	0	21 August 1999

Most tries

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Tries Scored by One Team ^[65]

Tries	Team	Score	Opp	Date
22	Australia	142–0	Namibia	25 October 2003
21	New Zealand	145–17	Japan	4 June 1995
	South Africa	134–3	Uruguay	11 June 2005
20	England	134–0	Romania	17 November 2001
17	England	111–13	Uruguay	2 November 2003
16	Ireland	106–7	Portugal	12 July 2025
	New Zealand	108–13	Portugal	15 September 2007
	England	106–8	United States	21 August 1999
	Wales	102–11	Portugal	18 May 1994
	New Zealand	102–0	Tonga	03-07-2021
15	South Africa	105–13	Namibia	15 August 2007

Most conversions

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Conversions Scored by One Team ^[66]

Con	Team	Score	Opp	Date
20	New Zealand	145–17	Japan	4 June 1995
16	Australia	142–0	Namibia	25 October 2003
14	England	134–0	Romania	17 November 2001
	New Zealand	108–13	Portugal	15 September 2007
	Wales	98–0	Japan	26 November 2004
13	South Africa	134–3	Uruguay	11 June 2005
	England	111–13	Uruguay	2 November 2003
	England	106–8	United States	21 August 1999
	South Africa	101–0	Italy	19 June 1999
	New Zealand	101–14	Samoa	3 September 2008
	New Zealand	91–7	Tonga	24 October 2003

Most penalties

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Penalties Scored by One Team ^[67]

Con	Team	Score	Opp	Date
9	Japan	44–17	Tonga	8 May 1999
	New Zealand	39–26	France	11 November 2000
	New Zealand	34–15	Australia	24 July 1999
	Wales	34–23	France	28 August 1999
	Georgia	32–30	Portugal	8 February 2000
8	Argentina	45–27	Wales	17 June 2006
	Scotland	41–5	Tonga	30 May 1995
	France	36–12	Ireland	10 June 1995
	Argentina	32–16	Samoa	10 October 1999
	South Africa	31–19	New Zealand	1 August 2009

• 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.

Most Drop Goals Scored by One Team ^[68]

DG	Team	Score	Opp	Date
5	South Africa	44–21	England	24 October 1999
4	South Africa	25–14	England	25 November 2006
	Argentina	18–13	France	22 November 2014
3	Australia	52–28	Fiji	10 August 1985
	South Africa	45–10	Scotland	27 November 2004
	Russia	38–13	Portugal	7 April 2002
	Italy	34–20	Scotland	5 February 2000
	Argentina	30–15	Uruguay	21 September 1975
	Argentina	30–15	Ireland	30 September 2007
	Italy	29–21	Romania	7 October 1990

• 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.

Highest Total Match Points Scored ^[69]

Pnts	Team 1	Score	Team 2	Tries	Con	Pen	DG	Date
162	New Zealand	145–17	Japan	23	22	1	0	4 June 1995
142	Australia	142-0	Namibia	22	16	0	0	25 October 2003
137	South Africa	134–3	Uruguay	21	13	2	0	11 June 2005
134	England	134–0	Romania	20	14	2	0	17 November 2001
124	England	111–13	Uruguay	18	14	2	0	2 November 2003
121	New Zealand	108–13	Portugal	17	15	1	1	15 September 2007
118	South Africa	105–13	Namibia	16	13	4	0	15 August 2007
115	New Zealand	101–14	Samoa	17	15	0	0	3 September 2008
114	England	106–8	United States	17	13	1	0	21 August 1999
113	Wales	102–11	Portugal	17	11	2	0	18 May 1994

Most aggregate tries

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Total Tries Scored ^[70]

Tries	Team 1	T1 Try	Score	T2 Try	Team 2	Date
23	New Zealand	21	145–17	2	Japan	4 June 1995
22	Australia	22	142–0	0	Namibia	25 October 2003
21	South Africa	21	134–3	0	Uruguay	11 June 2005
20	England	20	134–0	0	Romania	17 November 2001
18	England	17	111–13	1	Uruguay	2 November 2003
17	New Zealand	16	108–13	1	Portugal	15 September 2007
	England	16	106–8	1	United States	21 August 1999
	Wales	16	102–11	1	Portugal	18 May 1994
	South Africa	15	105–13	2	Namibia	15 August 2007
	New Zealand	15	101–14	2	Samoa	3 September 2008
	Ireland	16	106–7	1	Portugal	12 July 2025

Most aggregate conversions

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Total Conversions Scored ^[71]

Con	Team 1	T1 Con	Score	T2 Con	Team 2	Date
22	New Zealand	20	145–17	2	Japan	4 June 1995
16	Australia	16	142–0	0	Namibia	25 October 2003
15	New Zealand	14	108–13	1	Portugal	15 September 2007
	New Zealand	13	101–14	2	Samoa	3 September 2008
14	England	14	134–0	0	Romania	17 November 2001
	Wales	14	98–0	0	Japan	26 November 2004
	England	13	111–13	1	Uruguay	2 November 2003
	New Zealand	13	91–7	1	Tonga	24 October 2003
13	South Africa	13	134–3	0	Uruguay	11 June 2005
	South Africa	13	101–0	0	Italy	19 June 1999
	England	12	106–8	1	United States	21 August 1999
	South Africa	12	105–13	1	Namibia	15 August 2007
	England	12	101–10	1	Tonga	15 October 1999
	Australia	12	91–10	1	Spain	1 November 2001
	New Zealand	9	66–23	4	Ireland	12 June 2010
	Ireland	12	106–7	1	Portugal	12 July 2025

Most aggregate penalties

Test Matches that have included only Tier 1 Nations and/or Tier 2 Nations are eligible.

Most Total Penalties Scored ^[72]

Pen	Team 1	T1 Pen	Score	T2 Pen	Team 2	Date
14	Australia	8	27–21	6	South Africa	30 October 1999
	Argentina	7	54–28	7	Canada	22 August 1998
	Argentina	7	28–24	7	Ireland	20 October 1999
13	New Zealand	9	39–26	4	France	11 November 2000
	Argentina	8	29–18	5	Georgia	26 June 2013
	England	8	27–22	5	South Africa	24 June 2000
	Spain	7	38–37	6	Namibia	17 November 2012
	Argentina	7	35–21	6	Italy	11 June 2005
	Wales	7	28–18	6	Scotland	9 March 2013
12	Wales	9	34–23	3	France	28 August 1999
	Wales	7	28–25	5	England	26 September 2015
	England	7	21–44	5	South Africa	24 October 1999
	Wales	6	32–21	6	Canada	16 November 2002
	France	6	32–23	6	South Africa	16 June 2001

• 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.

Most Total Drop Goals Scored ^[73]

DG	Team 1	T1 DG	Score	T2 DG	Team 2	Date
6	New Zealand	3	18–9	3	France	28 June 1986
5	South Africa	5	44–21	0	England	24 October 1999
4	South Africa	4	25–14	0	England	25 November 2006
	Argentina	4	18–13	0	France	22 November 2014
	Italy	3	34–20	1	Scotland	5 February 2000
	Italy	3	29–21	1	Romania	7 October 1990
	France	3	28–19	1	Australia	30 June 1990
	France	3	15–9	1	Scotland	19 January 1991
	France	2	15–15	2	Australia	13 November 1983
	France	2	15–12	2	England	20 January 1996

• 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

• International rugby union player records
• Records and statistics of the Rugby World Cup
• List of international rugby union teams

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External links

• Rugby Union Records
• Rugby Union Match Archive