Rugby's most unwanted records
The bitter taste of defeat is familiar to some more than others but no one is more in need of a refreshing palate cleanser than Sergio Parisse.
Italy’s defeat to Six Nations rivals Wales in Cardiff on Sunday took the Azzurri’s talismanic No.8 to the brink of becoming the first player to have featured in 100 Test defeats.
If Scotland condemn Italy to yet another Wooden Spoon in Rome on Saturday then he will enter a rather exclusive club and lay claim to one of the sport’s unwanted records.
It is a credit to Parisse’s mental strength that he has managed to weather such and seemingly demoralising toll an still maintain an enviable level of personal performance throughout a 16-year international career that to date has earned him 133 caps.
As captain of his country for the last decade he has also had the unenviable responsibility of fronting up to the media to explain his own side’s shortcomings and perhaps the more difficult challenge of repeatedly lifting the spirits of his players.
A 64-10 mauling at the hands of New Zealand in his first Test appearance was perhaps predictable but five subsequent victories in his first 11 Tests suggested that maybe he could carve out a career to match his outstanding ability – but it was not to be with Parisse unable to inspire similar greatness from most of those around him.
Incredibly he has never enjoyed more than two successive victories on the international stage and what must surely have been the most deflating run of results came between 2008-10 when he was on the wrong side of the result on 17 consecutive occasions.
Another disappointing career milestone looms this weekend but Parisse can take solace from the fact that his place in the history of the sport is already assured as one of the greatest players of a star-studded generation.
Parisse is not the only player with a blemish on his rugby CV as illustrated in this selection of ‘unwanted international rugby records’.
First red card in international rugby
New Zealand’s Cyril Brownlie became the first player to be sent off in an international when he was dismissed during his side’s final tour clash with England in 1925. Referee Albert Freethy took the unprecedented step having seen Brownlie stamp on rival Reg Edwards in the early stages of what was a heated contest at Twickenham. ‘The Invincibles’ would still go on to win the game 17-11 and complete a perfect winning record.
First red card at a Rugby World Cup
Wales second row Huw Richards became the first player to be sent off at the sport’s showpiece event when he was dismissed in the closing moments of his side’s 49-6 defeat to New Zealand in their 1987 World Cup semi-final clash.
Richards reportedly took exception to an elbow from Gary Whetton and punched his All Blacks rival before being floored himself by Wayne Shelford. Richards got to his feet only to be ordered from the field by referee Kerry Fitzgerald while Shelford escaped punishment.
First yellow card
England’s Ben Clarke was the first player to be issued a yellow card in a Test match after he stamped on Ireland’s Simon Geoghegan during their Five Nations Championship clash in Dublin in 1995. However, referee Patrick Thomas merely ‘showed’ Clarke the card as at the time it was used as a warning only.
The first player to experience the ‘sin-bin’ was Australia’s James Holbeck who was forced to leave the field for 10 minutes during the Wallabies clash with South Africa in Pretoria during the 1997 Tri-Nations. The ‘sin-bin’ had been introduced that year as trial and would eventually be written into Law in 2000.
First red card in Five Nations
Wales second row Geoff Wheel and Ireland No.8 Willie Duggan made history during their Five Nations clash in Cardiff in 1977 when they became the first players in Championship’s long history to be sent off. Referee Norman Sanson gave them their marching orders for their roles in a brawl during Wales’ 25-9 victory at the Arms Park.
First red card in Tri-Nations
South Africa’s Andre Venter became the first player to be sent off during a Tri-Nations clash when he was dismissed against New Zealand in Auckland back in 1997. Referee Derek Bevan saw no other option after Venter reportedly ‘stomped all over the face of All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick’.
Biggest Test defeat
Paraguay and Chinese Taipei can lay claim to a share of this record with both having suffered eye-watering defeats. Paraguay conceded 24 tries on their way to a 152-0 defeat to South American rivals Argentina in 2002 and later the same year Chinese Taipei were crushed 155-3 by Japan.
Biggest World Cup loss
With the eyes of the entire rugby world upon them, Namibia were annihilated 142-0 by tournament hosts Australia in 2003. Wallabies full back Chris Latham was the tormentor-in-chief in Adelaide and he finished the game with five tries.
Most red cards
Three players share the shame of having been sent off not once but twice in their international careers. Uruguay’s Mario Cagnani, Samoa’s Alesana Tuilagi and the United States’ Paul Emerick head that particular ‘roll of dishonour’.
Most matches without a try
New Zealand’s Owen Franks has worn the famous All Blacks jersey a total of 95 times but has yet to dot down for a try. “I think it’s got to the point now where he doesn’t want to score one, where he wants a record,” commented All Blacks coach Steve Hansen back in 2016. “He’s pretty proud of it I think.”
Most yellow cards
Australia’s Michael Hooper is in danger of spending more time in the ‘cooler’ than Steve McQueen did in The Great Escape having been sin-binned a total of eight times in his 79-Test career.
Most replacement appearances
No one strives to be the second best at their chosen profession but sometimes circumstances dictate that you play a supporting role. New Zealand’s Keven Mealamu may have started more games on the bench (55 out of a total of 132) but he has two Rugby World Cup winners medals to keep him company. Ireland’s Sean Cronin arguably takes this honour having begun 51 of his 60 Test appearances in a tracksuit.
Most Test defeats
Parisse is already the owner of this record by some way – with Martin Castrogiovanni second on the list with 88 – and it is perhaps not surprising that Italians occupy 11 of the ‘top’ 12 places on the list given their exposure to regular top tier opposition since they joined the Six Nations party in 2000.
With thanks to espn.co.uk/rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments