Can They Kick It? Celtic League-IRB Reveal New Stats

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%)