New Zealand wing Joe Rokocoko equalled the world record for tries in a calendar year when he crossed for a five pointer in the 40-13 defeat of France to take third place in Rugby World Cup 2003 in Sydney tonight.
The try was his 17th of the season, equalling the record held by Japan wing Daisuke Ohata set in 2002. Argentine Jose Maria Nunez Piossek scored 16 tries in 2003 to hold down third place, while fellow Argentine Uriel O’Farrell scored 15 tries in 1951.
Out on the other All Black wing Doug Howlett scored 14 tries in 2003, seven of those in RWC 2003, along with seven to full back Mils Muliaina and six to Rokocoko, meaning that the trio contributed 20 tries to the All Black tally of 52 tries for the RWC 2003.
The 52 All Black tries is ten more than the next best try-scoring team Australia, who finished with 42 five pointers and a place in the RWC final on Saturday against England.
Other players to score heavily in a single calendar year are Argentine Gustavo Jorge with 13 in 1993, Frenchman Philippe Saint-Andre with 12 in 1995, Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen of New Zealand with 12 each in 1995 and 1997 respectively and Toru Kurihara with 12 for Japan in 2002.
These statistics are provided by Rugby News Service.