Rugby World Cup: The best and worst performing goal kickers and their stats

The Rugby World Cup is the biggest event in the sport with teams spending years working towards the global showpiece, making every point count that much more.

With that in mind, there is added focus on the goal-kickers for each side in how they can handle the pressure and the scoreboard from the tee. Planet Rugby takes a closer look at who is in the best and worst kicking form.

Sharpshooters

The group of perfect kickers has changed quite a bit this weekend after some players missed for the first time whilst others joined the category.

The leading kicker of the tournament is Italian Tommaso Allan, who made no mistake all tournament long with 16/16. Compatriot Paolo Garbisi has also had no misses from his three attempts.

Scotland’s Ben Healy was outstanding for his side as he kicked all 11 of his kicks against Romania, joining the 100% club alongside George Horne who slotted one. Another player joining the group for the first time is Springbok Handre Pollard, who kicked 4/4 in his first appearance of the tournament.

Handrè Pollard… That's the post 🇿🇦 #RWC2023 | #RSAvTGA pic.twitter.com/bNmyiJP1oP

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 1, 2023

Meanwhile, Argentinian Nicolas Sanchez kicked 2/2 in the final pool stage match against Japan and he sits on 10/10 for the tournament. Teammate Santiago Carreras is flawless from his two attempts.

Elsewhere Georgian superstar Davit Niniashvili showed his length off the tee with 2/2, the same number kicked by Uruguay’s Felipe Berchesi and All Black Beauden Barrett.

Ireland’s Ross Byrne and Welshman Leigh Halfpenny did not feature in the action over the weekend but remain at 100% so far. Chilean Matias Garafulic has managed 100% from one kick.

Near perfect

There is great movement in the players that have kicked at 70%+ in the tournament so far. Rikiya Matsuda of Japan strengthened his hold on the group completing 19/20 for the tournament at 95%. George Ford of England has not been kicking for goal since Owen Farrell’s return, leaving his overall kicking record at the World Cup at 92.3%.

Damian McKenzie also strengthened his record this week with 2/2, taking his numbers to 88% for the tournament. Frenchman Thomas Ramos shoots up the leaderboard after another good kicking performance and sits on 86.2%. Johnny Sexton of Ireland is not far behind on 85% so far in France, meanwhile Fijian Simione Kuruvoli sits on 83.3% alongside Jack Crowley. 

Namibia’s Tiaan Swanepoel is on 80% as is Scotland’s Finn Russell, Samoan Lima Sopoaga and Romanian Gabriel Conache while Fijian scrum-half Frank Lomani kicked 5/5 against Portugal to improve his record which sits at 78.5%, only a fraction above Wales star Gareth Anscombe and his teammate Sam Costelow on 77.7%, Portuguese star Samuel Marques on 76.9% and Tongan William Havili on 76.4%. 

All Blacks pivot Richie Mo’unga is on 75% for the tournament with Welshman Dan Biggar shares the figure, as does Farrell from England, Australian Ben Donaldson and Uruguayan Jeronimo Etcheverry have also kicked three quarters of their kicks.

Versatile Springbok Damian Willemse remains where he was after he kicked 5/7, at 71%, in his side’s demolition of Romania in round two. Argentina’s Emiliano Boffelli is only a fraction ahead of that on 71.4%.

Chasing pack

The shuffling continues in the lower ranks of the kickers at the World Cup with Samoan D’Angelo Leuila also on 66.6% for the tournament so far.

Trailing just behind is veteran Samoan Christian Leali’ifano on 63.2% from his kicks taken so far, meanwhile Georgian Luka Matkava improved his tally to bring his number up to 62.5% just above Frenchman Melvyn Jaminet who is on 60%.

One of the most spoken about kickers, Springbok Manie Libbok, also had a good night off the tee, bringing him up to 50%. Whilst Chilean Santiago Videla finished on 40% with Fijian Teti Tela still on 33% alongside South Africa’s Faf de Klerk on 25%.

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup: Change aplenty in stats leaders after high-scoring round