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1,844 caps: An all-time most test appearances XV
Against France Welsh skipper Alun Wyn Jones drew level with the world record for most test appearances with Richie McCaw, where he played his 148th game – including nine British and Irish Lions test caps.
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Barring some unseen incident or heretofore undisclosed injury, he will go on to set the record against Scotland on Six Nations Super Saturday.
In the professional era more Test matches are being played than ever before, and over the course of the last decade the record has changed hands several times. With that said, it could be some time before Jones’ soon to be set record is broken.
The only currently active players near the cap summit are New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock (118, New Zealand), who sits in joint 19th place, Romania’s Florin Vlaicu (124) in joint 12th and Russia’s Yuri Kushnarev in 25th with 115 caps. The latter two won’t be adding any further caps in 2020, with Rugby Europe cancelling the remainder of the season in recent weeks.
Romania’s Catalin Fercu also has 109 caps in 37th, but time is running out for the 34-year-old fullback.
George North, at just 28 could still be a shout with 95 caps to his name, although having begun his Test career at 18, the road years on the Welsh wing are considerably more than the average professional player of his age. Another fifty plus caps seems like a tall order for the hulking winger, who has shipped more than his fair share of body damage over the span of a storied career.
All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith, still arguably the world’s premier nine, currently has 94 caps to his name and could conceivably enjoy another four years of Test rugby, even in the shark pool that is New Zealand. A likely pension top-up in the form of an overseas contract could yet put pay to any aspirations Smith may have of summiting mount Test cap.
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As it stands, with 1,844 caps between them, this is the most capped XV of all time.
ALL-TIME MOST TEST APPEARANCES XV
1: Gethin Jenkins (134, Wales and Lions)
2: Keven Mealamu (132, New Zealand)
3: Jason Leonard (119, England and Lions)
4: Alun Wyn Jones (148, Wales and Lions)
5: Victor Matfield (127, South Africa)
6: Alessandro Zanni (119, Italy)
7: Richie McCaw (148, New Zealand)
8: Sergio Parisse (142, Italy)
9: George Gregan (139, Australia)
10: Ronan O’Gara (130, Ireland and Lions)
11: Adam Ashley Cooper (121, Australia)
12: Florin Vlaicu (124, Romania)
13: Brian O’Driscoll (141, Ireland and Lions)
14: Bryan Habana (124, South Africa)
15: Yuri Kushnarev (115, Russia)
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to comments