Statistic of the Day

[rowan]

NB: This will also be the first time a tier 2 team has failed to qualify since expansion in 99.

[rowan]

Europe really is the only region in which World Cup qualification has not been more or less a foregone conclusion. Africa has promised to become as much of a lottery, but somehow Namibia just kept sneaking in and I fear they are beginning to pull away from the pack now with the advantage of Currie Cup experience (and quadrennial appearances at the RWC itself since 99). The Americas have always produced the same teams, with the occasional appearance of Uruguay, and Canada's absence would certainly be the first big surprise to occur in that region since the US missed out in 95. Brazil looks on course to challenge los Teros within the next decade or so, but Chile hasn't shown any sign of improvement in the pro era, and no one else is in the picture at this stage. & as for Asia, nothing doing there. Japan will continue to qualify for tournament after tournament, and no other nation has shown any real sign of becoming a major force in the game. No progress in the Pacific either. Tahiti will probably go down heavily to Hong Kong in the playoff, in spite of their French-based contingent.

[rowan]

Only 25 nations have competed at the RWC so far, 10 of them from Europe. Last team to debut - Russia 2011.

Never had to qualify: NZ, SA, France. NB: NZ were initially supposed to qualify for 2003 after finishing 4th in 99 but led the way in enforcing rule changes to avoid such an indignation.

Nations to have qualified from (& tournaments competed at):

Europe (10)
England (87-19)
Wales (87-19)
Scotland (87-19)
Ireland (87-19)
Italy (87-19)
Romania (87-15)
Spain (99)
Georgia (03-19)
Portugal (07)
Russia (11)

America (4)
Argentina (87-19)
Canada (87-15)
US (87-91, 99-19)
Uruguay (03, 15-19)

Oceania (4)
Australia (87-19)
Fiji (87-91, 99-19)
Tonga (87, 95-19)
Samoa (91-15)

Africa (3)
Zimbabwe (87-91)
Ivory Coast (95)
Namibia (99-15)

Asia (1)
Japan (87-19)

[rowan]

Romania & Japan have qualified for every World Cup since qualifying began in 91. They are tied on 7, but the Oaks will hit the lead if they reached 2019. The North Americans are tied for second on 6, though Canada could edge ahead if they make it through the repechage for 2019. The Pacific Island trio & Namibia are all tied on 5 (Samoa and the Welwitschias yet to confirm their place in 2019). Italy & Georgia have both qualified 4 times.

Australia won the tournament after qualifying in 99. Next best performance by a qualified team was Argentina finishing 3rd in 07.

Tonga has qualified through the repechage 3 times and Uruguay twice. The latter has also been eliminated once in the repechage finale.

Qualifiers by year:

91 (8) Zimbabwe, Italy, Romania, Samoa, Japan, Canada, Argentina, USA
95 (7) Ivory Coast, Wales, Italy, Romania, Japan, Argentina Tonga
99 (16) England, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Uruguay, USA, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan
03 (12) Namibia, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Japan, Canada, Uruguay, USA, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
07 (12) Namibia, Argentina, Canada, USA, Japan, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Portugal, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga
11 (8) Namibia, Canada, USA, Japan, Georgia, Russia, Romania, Samoa
15 (8) Namibia, Canada, USA, Uruguay, Japan, Georgia, Romania, Fiji
19 (4) USA, Uruguay, Fiji, Tonga

Tournaments qualified for:

Europe (10)
England (99)
Wales (95)
Scotland (99, 11)
Ireland (99, 03)
Italy (91, 95, 03, 07)
Romania (91, 95, 99, 03, 07, 11, 15)
Spain (99)
Georgia (03, 07, 11, 15))
Portugal (07)
Russia (11)

America (4)
Argentina (91, 95, 07)
Canada (91, 99, 03, 07, 11, 15))
US (91, 99, 03, 07, 11, 15)
Uruguay (03, 15, 19)

Oceania (4)
Australia (99)
Fiji (99, 03, 07, 15, 19)
Tonga (95, 99, 03, 07, 19)
Samoa (91, 99, 03, 07, 11)

Africa (3)
Zimbabwe (91)
Ivory Coast (95)
Namibia (99, 03, 07, 11, 15)

Asia (1)
Japan (91, 95, 99, 03, 07, 11, 15)

[rowan]

Technically, of the current tier 2 teams only Georgia, Tonga, Fiji and the US have failed to qualify for a World Cup, the latter three on just one occasion each. Samoa were not invited to the inaugural World Cup, and Georgian independence came in 1991, too late for that year's tournament, while they were unsuccessful in their attempts to reach the 95 & 99 editions.

Tier 2 nations to have missed World Cups:
1987 - Samoa & Georgia
1991 - Tonga & Georgia
1995 - Fiji, USA & Georgia
1999 - Georgia

[Lizard]

Most RWC Caps by Country:

England: 22, Jason Leonard (1991-2003)
New Zealand: 22, Richie McCaw (2003-15)
South Africa: 20, Schalk Burger (2003-15)*
Australia: 20, George Gregan (1995-07)
France: 18, Raphael Ibanez (1999-07)
Wales: 18, Gethin Jenkins (2003-15)*
Argentina: 18, Mario Ledesma (1999-2011)
Samoa: 18, Brian Lima (1991-2007)
Ireland: 17, Paul O’Connell (2003-15), Brian O’Driscoll (1999-2011)
Georgia: 15, Merab Kvirikashvili (2003-15)**
Scotland: 15, Chris Paterson (1999-2011)
Italy: 14, Martin Castrogiovanni (2003-15), Alessandro Troncon (1995-2007)
Canada: 14, Jamie Cudmore (2003-15), Rod Snow (1995-2007)
Romania: 14, Romeo Gontineac (1995-2007)
Fiji: 14, Nicky Little (1999-2011)
Japan: 12, Hirotoki Onozawa (2003-11)
Namibia: 11, five guys with Boer names
Tonga: 11, Vunga Lilo (2007-15)*, Soane Tonga'uiha (2007-2015)*
USA: 11, Mile MacDonald (2003-11), Chris Wyles (2007-15)
Uruguay: 7, eight guys with Spanish names
Zimbabwe: 6, Michael Martin (1987-91)
Portugal: 4, ten guys with Portuguese names
Russia: 4, nine guys with Russian names
Spain: 3, nine guys with Spanish names
Ivory Coast: 3, thirteen guys with, presumably, Ivorian names.

*Not officially retired as far as I know, but not capped since at least 2016
**Capped in 2017

[rowan]

Trivia
England became the first sole host nation to be eliminated in the pool stages of a Rugby World Cup in 2015. Wales, as joint hosts, were eliminated in the pool stages in 1991.
Three match-ups have occurred twice in the same World Cup:
2007 Argentina defeated France in the opening match 17-12, and went on to beat them 34-10 in the Bronze final.
2007 South Africa defeated England 36-0 in the pool stages, and went on to play them in the final, winning 15-6.
2011 New Zealand defeated France 37-17 in the pool stages, and went on to play them in the final, winning 8-7.
Jonny Wilkinson, with 15 points in 2003 and 6 in 2007, is the only player to have scored points in two Rugby World Cup Finals.
Two nations have reached a Rugby World Cup Final having previously lost a game in that tournament: England in 1991 and 2007, and France in 2011, being the only team to reach the final having lost two games.
The teams involved in the most World Cup opening matches are Argentina and New Zealand. The Pumas participated in the first three World Cup openers of the professional era — losing to Wales and Australia in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and defeating France in 2007. The All Blacks defeated Italy in 1987, England in 1991, and Tonga in 2011.
No player scored a conversion in a Rugby World Cup Final between Matt Burke of Australia in 1999 and François Trinh-Duc of France in 2011. Both Jonny Wilkinson and Elton Flatley failed with their sole conversion attempts in 2003, and no tries were scored in 2007's final.
France, Australia and New Zealand are the only nations to have made it to at least the quarter-finals of every Rugby World Cup. Furthermore, South Africa have also done so since they started participating in 1995.
France is the only non English-speaking country to have made it to a Rugby World Cup final - in 1987, 1999 and 2011. It is also the only country to reach a final without ever winning it.
The only Tier Two countries to have participated in every Rugby World Cup are Canada, Japan and Romania, with only the first of those making it to one quarter-final in 1991.
Japan are the only team to have ever won three matches and not progressed beyond the Group Stage, having lost to South Africa and Scotland in their pool by points difference in 2015.
Of the Tier One nations, Italy is the only one not to have made it to at least the quarter-finals in any Rugby World Cup. Conversely, three Tier Two countries have made it to the quarter-finals - Fiji in 1987 and 2007, Canada in 1991 and Samoa (then called Western Samoa) in 1991 and 1995.
The 2015 final between Australia and New Zealand is the highest scoring Rugby World Cup final ever.
After the 2015 final, New Zealand became the first team to win the Rugby World Cup three times, and the first team to have successfully defended its title.
Wales have had the most upsets in the Rugby World Cup, having lost to Samoa both in 1991 and 1999, then losing to Fiji in 2007. Other major upsets include France losing to Tonga in 2011 and South Africa losing to Japan in 2015.

- Wiki

[Lizard]

Here's a RWC question for you then: what do Sonny Bill Williams and Jeremy Paul exclusively have in common?

[rowan]

Both came on as late replacements in a RWC final, only to be sent off ??

[cashead]

Please count up the number of cards SBW has received at RWC fixtures.

Here's his All Blacks record, with every game he's played: http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/Profile.asp?ABID=1108


Or alternatively, you can stop trying to make this bullshit meme a thing.

[cashead]

You're Gretchen, and "SBW gets carded every game and has cards and lives in a house made of cards and is cards cards cards!" is "fetch."

[Lizard]

Both came on as late replacements in a RWC final, only to be sent off ??

No. No player has ever been sent off in a RWC final. Williams has never been sent off in a RWC, but was sin binned in a semi. Paul has never been sent off at all, and his only yellow was not in a RWC.

[Lizard]

The answer is that they are the only men to have played in 2 RWC finals without starting in either of them.

[rowan]

Interesting. I was on the right track then . . .

Meanwhile, good thing about Spain returning is that they remain the only team ever to have attended a World Cup without scoring a try. I'm sure they'll get a few if they return next year, which now appears about 95% certain.

[Lizard]

Most recent wins at Eden Park
New Zealand: 2017 v Lions*
Wales: 2017 v Tonga
Australia: 2011 v Wales
France: 2011 v Wales
Samoa: 2011 v Fiji
Ireland: 2011 v Australia
Tahiti: 2003 v New Caledonia
Niue: 2003 v Cook Islands
Cook Islands: 2003 v New Caledonia
Romania: 1987 v Zimbabwe
England: 1973 v New Zealand
Tonga: 1969 v NZ Maori
Lions: 1959 v New Zealand*
South Africa: 1937 v NZ*

At least 1 match but 0 wins at Eden Park
Scotland (6 matches)
Fiji (5)
Italy (2)
New Caledonia (2)
Zimbabwe (2)
Argentina (1)
Canada (1)
Japan (1)


Most recent wins v All Blacks at Eden Park
France: 1994
England: 1973
Lions: 1959*
Australia: 1986
South Africa: 1937*

At least 1 capped match v New Zealand but 0 wins at Eden Park
Scotland (5)
Ireland (3)
Wales (3)
Samoa (2)
Argentina (1)
Canada (1)
Italy (1)
Fiji (1)
Romania (1)
Tonga (1)

It seems unlikely that many teams will be added to this final list as these days Eden Park tends to be reserved for opposition capable of possibly winning. Minor nations who have a test bestowed upon them by the NZRU get shunted out to the Provinces or, Zeus forbid, the North Shore.


*South Africa drew against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1994, and the Lions v NZ was also a draw in the 3rd test in 2017. Fiji drew in a capped match v NZ Maori in 1970.

[rowan]

According to RugbyData Eden Park is not the All Blacks' favorite hunting ground all time, however. The All Blacks' record at Eden Park is 75% with 53 wins & 2 draws from 65 tests. Losses have come at the hands of Australia (4), SA (2), France *2), Lions (1), England (1). They have an 88% record at Westpac with 15 wins from 17, although their record at Athletic Park was just under 70% with 30 wins and 3 draws from 43 tests. They have an 84% success rate at Carisbrook with 32 wins and a draw from 38 tests, and 81% at Jade with 39 wins from 48.

NB: Next best record in international rugby goes to the Boks at Ellis Park with 33 wins from 48 tests for a 69% average.

[Lizard]

At home, the All Blacks have 100% test records at Epsom Showgrounds and Potters Park in Auckland, Rugby Park in Hamilton, McLean Park in Napier, North Harbour Stadium, Forsyth Barr and Tahuna Park in Dunedin, Rugby League Park in Christchurch and Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.

[rowan]

They're also unbeaten at a host of stadiums all around the rugby-playing world, including North America, Japan and Romania. Of those, most wins without a loss is Brisbane's Lang Park (4-0). Meanwhile they have an 87% success rate at Murrayfield with 14 wins and 2 draws from 16 tests, 85% at Landsdowne with 12 wins and 2 draws from 14, and 79% at Cardiff Arms/Millenium with 19 wins from 24.

[Lizard]

The fuck you on about? We lost at Lang Park last year, and in 2011, not to mention a draw in 2012.

I think you mean Docklands In Melbourne

[rowan]

Really? RugbyData's stats well off on that one then. So according to them the ABs have won 3-apiece at Brisbane's Wooloongabba, Melbourne's Colonial ^ Sydney's Concorde, and never suffered defeat at any of them? Is that right?

I've seen a few games at Concorde actually, though not involving the ABs. I saw the Aussie-France semi in the inaugural World Cup, the NSW-Welly SPC encounter the same year, and SKorea run NSW B close in the curtain-raiser to the latter fixture.

[Lizard]

RugbyData is unreliable in my experience.

Are you looking at All Blacks in Aust against all-comers, or only v Aust?

[rowan]

Yes, I think the site stalled in 2016 or something. Far as I know, I was looking at all-comers.

[Lizard]

OK.

All Blacks v all comers, Australian ground records

Sydney:
Concord Oval (1987-88): 3 wins, 100%
Sydney Sports Ground: (1914) 2 wins, 100%
SCG (1903-1984): 17 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws, 64.28%
Stadium Australia (1999-2017): 11 wins, 7 loses, 1 draw, 60.52%
SFS (1991-98): 2 wins, 4 losses, 33.33%

Brisbane:
'Gabba (1907-51): 3 wins, 100%
Exhibition Ground (1929-62): 5 wins, 1 loss, 83.33%
Ballymore (1968-92): 4 wins, 1 loss, 2 draws, 71.42%
Lang Park (1996-2017): 5 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw (68.75%)

Melbourne:
Docklands Stadium (2003-10): 4 wins, 100%
MCG (1997-2007): 1 win, 2 losses, 33.33%

[rowan]

That's all tests, right? Apparently the SCG is the away ground at which the All Blacks have won the most times - anywhere in the world.

[Lizard]

That's all tests, right? Apparently the SCG is the away ground at which the All Blacks have won the most times - anywhere in the world.

Yes, sorry - capped All Blacks matches only, so excluding tour matches and the interwar "tests" against NSW retrospectively capped by Australia only. The data is available to capture those matches but collating it would be a hell of a task. In the first tour alone (1884) they played 10 matches across 6 grounds without even leaving NSW (Parramatta, Agricultural Society's Ground, Cricket Association Ground, Newcastle Sports Ground, Bathurst Ground and the SCG).

The longest tour (by number of matches) was in 1984 when 14 matches were played. The big games were at the obvious grounds (SCG, Concord Oval, Ballmore) but in order to allow the lesser states, and Country and B teams to get completely beasted, the All Blacks also graced the likes of Olympic Park, Melbourne; Rugby Park, Canberra; No. 1 Oval, Tamworth; Carrara Sports Ground, Surfers paradise; Grahame Park, Gosford; Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide; and Perry Lakes Stadium, Perth. The aggregate score (including a 2-1 test series) was 600-117. Between them, South and West Australia lost 172-0.