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Heaviest defeats in history
By Gavin McQue
Last Saturday, we witnessed the biggest defeat in South Africa’s proud history. A somewhat inexperienced and questionably coached squad, suffering a 57-0 humiliation against the World Champions.
The event did raise the interesting and sometimes painful topic of heaviest defeats in history. Below is a list of rugby nations, specifically those ranked as Tier 1 and 2 Nations, their greatest defeats and who can be held responsible:
- Namibia - 142 points (142-0 to Australia, 2003 Australia World Cup)
- Romania - 134 points (134-0 to England, Romanian 2001 End of Year Tour)
- Uruguay - 131 points (134-3 to South Africa, Uruguayan 2005 Summer Tour)
- Japan - 128 points (17-145 to New Zealand, 1995 South Africa World Cup)
- Tonga - 102 points (102-0 to New Zealand in Tongan 2000 Summer Tour)
- Italy - 101 points (101-0 to South Africa, Italian 1999 Summer Tour)
- USA - 98 points (106-8 to England, American 1999 End of Year Tour)
- Portugal – 95 points (108-13 to New Zealand, 2007 French World Cup)
- Fiji - 91 points (91-0 to New Zealand, Fijian 2005 Summer Tour)
- Samoa - 87 points (101-14 to New Zealand, Samoan 2008 Summer Tour)
- Argentina - 85 points (93-8 to New Zealand, Argentinian 1997 Summer Tour)
- Wales - 83 points (96-13 to South Africa, Welsh 1998 Summer Tour)
- Spain - 82 points (10-92 to Australia, Australian 2001 End of Year Tour)
- Georgia - 78 points (6-84 to England, 2003 Australia World Cup)
- England - 76 points (76-0 to Australia, English 1998 End of Year Tour)
- Russia - 72 points (75-3 to Japan, Russian 2010 End of Year Tour)
- Canada - 70 points (70-0 to England, Canadian 2004 End of Year Tour)
- Ireland - 60 points (60-0 to New Zealand in Irish 2012 Summer Tour)
- Scotland - 58 points (10-68 to South Africa in South African 1997 End of Year Tour)
- South Africa - 57 points (57-0 to New Zealand, 2017 Rugby Championship)
- France - 51 points (61-10 to New Zealand, French 2007 Summer Tour)
- Australia - 45 points (53-8 to South Africa in 2008 Tri Nations)
- New Zealand - 21 points (28-7 to Australia in 1999 Tri Nations)
Trivia
New Zealand has inflicted the most record defeats, responsible for 9 nation’s blackest day. South Africa comes in 2nd with 5 national scalps. Australia and England are tied third with 4 routs apiece. Japan has one milestone victory to their name and is the only Tier 2 Nation to have achieved the feet.
South Africa's most recent history making thrashing is the first time in 5 years a tier 1 country has suffered such a noteworthy defeat, Ireland being the previous unlucky holder from 2012, also to New Zealand.
To South Africa's credit, they are responsible for the most routs of Tier 1 nations, 4 of the 5 rugby humiliations they've dished out come to such countries: Italy, Scotland, Wales and Australia. New Zealand has 3: South Africa, France and Ireland. The remaining 2 Tier 1 nations, England and New Zealand belong to Australia.
Spain and Scotland are the only two on the list to have suffered their defeat at home. Spain has the excuse of being a Tier below their opponents. Scotland does not. Sometimes it’s s***e being Scottish.
Namibia’s defeat to Australia is also the biggest defeat in international rugby history.
Japan have scored the most during their defeat, getting 17 points via 2 converted tries and a penalty, making their defeat only the second biggest in international rugby history.
The vast majority of defeats came to countries touring. 2 defeats occurred on neutral ground during a World Cup. 2 came during away Tri-Nations fixtures and one away fixture during the most recent Rugby Championship. The 6 Nations have never seen such an event.
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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