Rugby is hard on players at the best of times. But a big loss will make the bruises all the more painful. Here is a list of some of the heaviest defeats suffered by tier 1 and 2 nations in the history of rugby union. Some of these rugby scores are simply unfathomable:
- 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)
Okay so, as harsh as it may seem, Namibia being battered by Australia isn’t too far of a stretch. Romania suffering a 134 point loss to England – also not too unbelievable, even for England. But to think that world-beating South Africa somehow made it on to this list is just crazy!
There have been bigger scorelines in club rugby and in the lower tiers of internationals but these are some of the biggest teams in the world!
I found a really great website that has loads of cool rugby info like this, as well as some funny videos of bit hits and rugby tackles. If you’re into rugby, I’d definitely recommend having a look.