The Eight Players Who Have Scored 1 000 Test Points
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In the series-deciding test match between New Zealand and Ireland, Jonathan Sexton joined an exclusive group of players who have scored 1000 points in test rugby.
We take a look at the players who achieved the milestone.
1 010 points - Diego Dominguez - Italy, Argentina
Breakdown:
76 Test caps
9 Tries
133 Conversions
209 Penalties
20 Drop goals
13.29 average points per game
Dominguez started his test career with Argentina back in 1989 and scored 27 points for Los Pumas. He switched to Italy in 1991 and playing a pivotal role for the side until 2023 scoring 983 points for Azzuri.
1 011 points - Jonathan Sexton - Ireland, British & Irish Lions
Breakdown:
114 Test caps
16 Tries
155 Conversions
203 Penalties
4 Drop goals
8.87 average points per game
A points machine for Ireland, Sexton has scored 1 006 points for his country and a further five for the British and Irish Lions.
1 030 points - Florin Vlaicu - Romania
Breakdown:
129 Test caps
14 Tries
173 Conversions
203 Penalties
4 Drop goals
7.98 average points per game
Romania's most capped international is also the top points scorer in Tier 2 rugby history.
1 083 - Ronan O'Gara - Ireland, British and Irish Lions
Breakdown:
130 Test caps
16 Tries
176 Conversions
202 Penalties
15 Drop goals
8.33 average points per game
Ronan O'Gara played two test matches for the British and Irish Lions but didn't get on the scoreboard in either test for the touring side. For Ireland, he was a points machine and often produced clutch plays in tight matches.
1 090 - Neil Jenkins - Wales, British & Irish Lions
Breakdown:
87 Test caps
11 Tries
131 Conversions
248 Penalties
10 Drop goals
12.53 average points per game
A prolific scorer, Jenkins ranks fourth on the all-time points scorers list with only Diego Dominguez having fewer test caps and has reached the 1000-point mark than the Welshman.
Jenkins scored an impressive 41 points in his four test caps for the Lions.
1 114 - Owen Farrell - England, British & Irish Lions
Breakdown:
103 Test caps
10 Tries
175 Conversions
235 Penalties
3 Drop goals
10.82 average points per game
At the age of 30, Owen Farrell is third on the all-time leading points scorers list in test rugby. The England international has scored 34 of his 1 114 points in the red of the British and Irish Lions.
If Farrell wishes to end his career as the top scorer in test rugby and maintains his current average of 10.82 points per game - he will need to play at least 45 more test matches.
1 246 - Jonny Wilkinson - England, British & Irish Lions
Breakdown:
97 Test caps
7 Tries
169 Conversions
235 Penalties
36 Drop goals
12.85 average points per game
The Northern Hemisphere's top scorer in test rugby, Jonny Wilkinson scored 67 points in six test matches with the rest of his 1 246 points coming in the England jersey.
He still holds the record for the most drop goals in test rugby (36), a record unlikely to be broken.
*The Almost Theres
There are several currently active players who are approaching the landmark with Argentina's Nicolas Sanchez the closest with 844 points.
Wales' international Leigh Halfpenny isn't too far back having scored 827 but he has been sidelined since the 2020 November Internationals.
Beauden Barrett has scored 708 points to date and at the age of 31, he could still reach the mark despite his younger brother taking over the kicking duties.
Elsewhere, Handre Pollard (633) and Dan Biggar (615) could also reach the mark before calling time on their careers.
1 598 - Dan Carter - New Zealand
Breakdown:
112 Test caps
29 Tries
293 Conversions
281 Penalties
8 Drop goals
14.27 average points per game
The top points scorer in test rugby history, Dan Carter finished his career with an incredible average of 14.27 points per game. The closest competitor to his average was former All Black first five who scored 645 points at an average of 14.02 points per game.
Carter's 29 tries is 13 better than the next best try tally from the players who have reached the 1000 point-mark.
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