The Eight Players Who Have Scored 1 000 Test Points

The Eight Players Who Have Scored 1 000 Test Points

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

ROME - FEBRUARY 15: Diego Dominguez (left) and Alessandro Troncon (right) of Italy celebrate victory after the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales held on February 15, 2003 at the Stadio Flaminio, in Rome, Italy. Italy won the match 30-22. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)

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

Wellington , New Zealand - 16 July 2022; Ireland captain Jonathan Sexton and teammate Tadhg Furlong, left, celebrate at the final whistle of the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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

TBILISI, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 01: Florian Vlaicu of Romania passes the ball during the Rugby Europe International Championship round one match between Georggia and Romania at Dinamo Arena on February 1, 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)

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

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 21: Ronan O'Gara of Ireland kicks the match and Grandslam winning drop goal as the Welsh defence close in during the RBS 6 Nations Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 21, 2009 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

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

Neil Jenkins kicking for Wales during the Five Nations rugby union match between Wales and England at Wembley Stadium in London 11th April 1999. Wales won 32-31. All Wales home matches were played at Wembley due to the ongoing construction of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. (Photo by Mike Brett/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Owen Farrell of England kicks during game three of the International Test match series between the Australia Wallabies and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 16, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

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

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: English fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicks a drop goal while Wallaby captain and scrumhalf George Gregan (C) looks on during the Rugby World Cup final between Australia and England, 22 November 2003 at Olympic Park Stadium in Sydney. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

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

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Dan Carter of New Zealand celebrates victory after the final whistle during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on October 31, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 

A post shared by Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby)



In this Article

Latest News