The IRB, commissioned by the Celtic League, have released some startling new goal-kicking statistics, collated on the performances of the top nations since the end of Rugby World Cup 2003.
The figures have ranked Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara misleadingly as the sixteenth best kicker in the world, over the last 14 months.
His haul of 40 successes from 58 attempts has netted him a 68.57% record - but in terms of kickers lining up 50-plus kicks, the 27-year-old is a deserved fifth, just behind Celtic rivals Chris Paterson and Stephen Jones.
O'Gara - who pocketed 13 points in Sunday's RBS Six Nations defeat of Scotland - has scored 128 of Ireland's 268 points in the eleven Tests he has featured in since the start of 2004.
That's 48% and a healthy record, just four months ahead of a probable British and Irish Lions tour berth.
While out-of-favour duo Alexandre Peclier of France, and Italy's Rima Wakarua head the individual list, Canada and New Zealand have been ranked as the number one teams - both boasting an 81% return from their place kicks, with Crusaders and All-Blacks starlet Daniel Carter - who turns 23 next month - arguably the most consistent kicker in the world, succeeding with 50 out of 61 attempts.
Ireland are fourth overall (74%) - level with Six Nations champions France.
So what odds on an O'Gara-Carter duel in Christchurch come June 25, and the Lions' first test?
Goal-kicking records of top 12 countries since the RWC 2003 (success rate in brackets):
(1) Canada (81%) (2) New Zealand (81%) (3) France (74%) (4) Ireland (74%) (5) South Africa (73%) (6) Wales (73%) (7) Scotland (71%) (8) Italy (70%) (9) England (66%) (10) USA (65%) (11) Pacific Islanders (58%) (12) Australia (58%)
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Goal-kickers in Test matches since RWC 2003, who have taken 10 or more shots at goal with place kicks for the top nations (success rate in brackets):
(1) Alexandre Peclier (France) - 14/15 (93.33%) (2) Rima Wakarua (Italy) - 19/21 (90.48%) (3) Andrew Mehrtens (NZ) - 12/14 (85.71%) (4) Daniel Carter (NZ) - 50/61 (81.97%) (5) Gavin Henson (Wales) - 34/42 (80.95%) (6) Paul Grayson (England) - 15/19 (78.95%) (7) Fridiric Michalak (France) - 11/14 (78.57%) (8) Dimitri Yachvili (France) - 17/22 (77.27%) (9) Percy Montgomery (RSA) - 59/78 (75.64%) (10) Dan Parks (Scotland) - 9/12 (75.00%) (11) Jared Barker (Canada) - 14/19 (73.68%) (12) Matt Giteau (Australia) - 24/33 (72.73%) (13) Felipe Contempomi (Arg) - 18/25 (72.00%) (14) Chris Paterson (Scotland) - 38/54 (70.37%) (15) Stephen Jones (Wales) - 44/63 (69.84%) (16) Ronan O'Gara (Ireland) - 40/58 (68.57%) (17) Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (France) - 17/25 (68.00%) (18) Mike Hercus (USA) - 24/37 (64.86%) (19) Charlie Hodgson (England) - 22/34 (64.71%) (20) Joe Roff (Australia) - 18/28 (64.29%) (21) Gaffie Du Toit (RSA) - 10/16 (62.50%) (22) Olly Barkley (England) - 10/17 (58.82%) (23) Roland de Marigny (Italy) - 11/19 (57.89%) (24) Luciano Orquera (Italy) - 7/13 (53.85%)