The Numbers Game: Try Bonanzas and Rabid Tackle Fiends

Our weekly trawl through the most surprising stats in the rugby and league pick ‘n’ mix.

13
The number of tries scored by the Crusaders in their 85-26 demolition of the Rebels in Christchurch on Saturday. They fell one short of equalling the Super Rugby record of 14, which they set back in 2002 when they beat the Waratahs 96-16 – a record which was equalled earlier this season by the Cheetahs in their 92-17 demolition of the Sunwolves.

111
The total points scored by the Crusaders and Rebels was the equal 6th highest match points total in Super Rugby history. The record is (and may always remain) the 137 points scored in the Chiefs’ 72-65 win over the Lions in 2010.

15
The number of hat-tricks so far this Super Rugby season. Johnny McNicholl became the latest to bag one in the Crusaders win over the Rebels. The previous most hat-tricks in a Super Rugby season was back in 2002 (12 hat-tricks).

87
The 2016 Kings have conceded the most tries in a Super Rugby season. Their total of 87 surpasses the previous record of 74 set by the Rebels in 2011. The Kings have also broken the record for most points conceded in a season with 632, beating the Lions’ 585 in 2010.

162
Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore equalled the Australian record for Super Rugby appearances – previously held by Nathan Sharpe – when he took the field against the Blues on Friday. The only Super Rugby players with more competition appearances than those two are New Zelalanders: Keven Mealamu (175) and Wyatt Crockett (168).

844
The NRL’s leading tackler, Roosters hooker Jake Friend, made 49 against the Eels on Friday night to extend his lead on the competition’s tackling count. He has 844; the next biggest tackler is Mitch Rein, who has a mere 693 to his name.

180
The number of points scored so far this season by the NRL’s leading scorer – talismanic Canberra Raiders centre Jarrod Croker. Three conversions and two penalties against the Cowboys extended his lead over the league’s next highest scorer, Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston (143).

74
The Bulldogs’ six-try haul against the Tigers on Saturday saw them leapfrog the Raiders, Cowboys, Storm and Sharks to lead the NRL in tries scored with 74.

24
The number of tries scored in 19 games this season by Super League’s leading try scorer Denny Solomona. The 22-year-old Kiwi winger is in his first full season for the Castleford Tigers after signing from the London Broncos last season.

16
The NRL’s leading try scorer, rookie Melbourne Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu, has played just 10 games this season, but still leads all try scorers in the competition with 16. He does his scoring in bulk, with two hat tricks and five doubles to his name.