The Most Successful Rugby Team of All Time, Ranked

Choose the team you think is the most successful!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:57
Debates often heat up among sports fans about which rugby team stands above the rest in history. By compiling a list based on actual votes from fans around the globe, a clearer picture emerges, showcasing which teams have truly made an impact that resonates with a diverse audience. This dynamic voting system allows your voice to be heard and directly influences the ranking. It's a unique opportunity to support your favorite teams and see how they stack up against the competition through the lens of collective fan opinion. Cast your vote today and help shape the historical narrative of rugby.

What Is the Most Successful Rugby Team of All Time?

  1. 1
    39
    votes
    The All Blacks are the most successful rugby team of all time, having won 77% of their test matches. They have won the Rugby World Cup three times and have been crowned the Rugby Championship winners 16 times.
    The New Zealand All Blacks is the national rugby union team of New Zealand. They are considered one of the most successful and dominant teams in rugby history, having consistently maintained a high level of performance and success.
    • Team Name: New Zealand All Blacks
    • Founded: 1884
    • Jersey Color: Black
    • Nickname: All Blacks
    • Home Stadium: Eden Park, Auckland
    New Zealand All Blacks in other rankings
  2. 2
    60
    votes
    The Springboks have won the Rugby World Cup three times and have won the Rugby Championship four times. They have a win percentage of 65%.
    The South Africa Springboks is the national rugby team of South Africa, representing the country in international rugby union competitions. The team is known for its trademark green and gold jerseys and is one of the most successful rugby teams in history.
    • Home Stadium: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
    • World Cup Titles: 3 (1995, 2007, 2019)
    • Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship Titles: 4 (1998, 2004, 2009, 2019)
    • Number of Participations in Rugby World Cup: 7
    • Overall Win Percentage: 65.67%
    South Africa Springboks in other rankings
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    The Wallabies have won the Rugby World Cup twice and have won the Rugby Championship four times. They have a win percentage of 60%.
    The Australia Wallabies is the national Rugby Union team of Australia. They have been a prominent force in international rugby since their establishment in 1899. The team is known for their distinctive yellow and green jerseys that feature a wallaby, a native Australian animal, on the badge. The Wallabies have a rich history and have achieved significant success on the global rugby stage.
    • Home Stadium: Stadium Australia
    • First Test Match: Against Great Britain on 24 June 1899
    • Nickname: Wallabies
    • Number of Rugby World Cup Titles: 2 (in 1991 and 1999)
    • Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship Titles: 4
    Australia Wallabies in other rankings
  4. 4
    19
    votes
    England have won the Rugby World Cup once and have won the Six Nations Championship seven times. They have a win percentage of 58%.
    England rugby team is one of the most successful rugby teams of all time. They compete in various international tournaments, including the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations Championship. Known for their physicality, strategic gameplay, and strong team culture, England has achieved numerous victories and accolades throughout its history.
    • World Cup Titles: 1 (2003)
    • Six Nations Championships: 29
    • Overall Championship Wins: 39
    • Grand Slam Titles: 13
    • Triple Crown Titles: 25
  5. 5
    19
    votes
    France have won the Six Nations Championship five times and have reached three Rugby World Cup finals. They have a win percentage of 53%.
    France is a beautiful country located in Western Europe. It is known for its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture. With its diverse attractions, France offers something for every traveler. From the romantic city of Paris to the stunning French Riviera, this country captivates visitors with its charm and elegance. The creator of France is a combination of its ancient Celtic and Roman roots, and the subsequent influences from various civilizations throughout history.
    • Official Language: French
    • Capital: Paris
    • Area: 551,695 square kilometers
    • Population: 67.1 million
    • Currency: Euro
  6. 6
    5
    votes
    Wales have won the Six Nations Championship 27 times and have reached three Rugby World Cup semi-finals. They have a win percentage of 52%.
    Wales is a national rugby team that represents Wales in international rugby union competitions. It is one of the most successful rugby teams of all time, known for its rich history and passionate fan base. The team has achieved considerable success on the international stage, with numerous Grand Slam victories in the Six Nations Championship and notable performances in Rugby World Cups.
    • Home Ground: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
    • Jersey Colors: Red and white
    • Team Captain: Alun Wyn Jones
    • Most Caps: Alun Wyn Jones (current record: 148 caps)
    • Most Points: Neil Jenkins (current record: 1,049 points)
  7. 7
    18
    votes
    Ireland have won the Six Nations Championship four times and have reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup seven times. They have a win percentage of 52%.
    The Ireland rugby team is the national rugby union team of Ireland. They represent both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The team's colors are green and white, and they are known as the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).
    • Home Stadium: Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland
    • Governing Body: Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)
    • Jersey Colors: Green and white
    • Team Captain: Varies; currently Johnny Sexton
    • Head Coach: Andy Farrell
  8. 8
    1
    votes
    Scotland have won the Five Nations Championship 14 times and have reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup three times. They have a win percentage of 47%.
    Scotland is the national rugby union team of Scotland, representing the country in international rugby matches. It is one of the oldest rugby teams in the world and has a rich history in the sport.
    • Formation: It was founded in 1873 as the Scottish Football Union.
    • Home Ground: Murrayfield Stadium located in Edinburgh, Scotland.
    • Six Nations: Scotland competes annually in the Six Nations Championship against England, Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy.
    • Grand Slam Wins: Scotland has won the Grand Slam (winning all matches in a single championship) three times, in 1925, 1984, and 1990.
    • Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship: Scotland has also competed in the Rugby Championship (formerly Tri-Nations) against Southern Hemisphere teams.
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    Argentina have reached the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup twice and have won the Rugby Championship once. They have a win percentage of 46%.
    Argentina is a country located in South America. It is known for its diverse landscapes including the Andes mountains, glacial lakes, and vast grasslands. Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world and the second-largest in South America. It has a rich cultural heritage influenced by the indigenous people, Spanish colonizers, and European immigrants. The country is renowned for its passionate tango dance, delicious cuisine featuring steak and mate tea, and vibrant arts scene.
    • Capital: Buenos Aires
    • Population: Approximately 45 million
    • Official Language: Spanish
    • Government: Federal presidential representative democratic republic
    • Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS)
  10. 10
    3
    votes
    Japan have reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup twice and have won the Asia Rugby Championship 25 times. They have a win percentage of 45%.
    Japan is an East Asian country known for its technological advancements, strong manufacturing industry, and high standard of living. It has a highly skilled workforce and is one of the most promising economies in the world.
    • GDP: Approximately $5 trillion (2021)
    • Population: Approximately 126 million
    • Main Industries: Automobiles, electronics, machinery, pharmaceuticals, robotics
    • Technology: Known for its innovation and technological advancements
    • Exports: Major exporter of automobiles, electronics, and machinery

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Ranking factors for successful team

  1. Winning percentage
    The number of matches won by the team is one of the key factors in determining success.
  2. Tournament wins
    The number of major tournaments won by the team, such as the Rugby World Cup or Six Nations, can be a good indication of their success.
  3. Consistency
    A team that consistently performs well over an extended period of time is often considered more successful than a team that experiences highs and lows.
  4. Strength of opposition
    Beating strong opponents consistently is a good indicator of a team's skill level.
  5. Performance in different conditions
    A team that performs equally well in different conditions, such as in wet weather or high altitudes, is generally considered more successful.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful Rugby team of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Player is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 3545 views
  • 147 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Player once every 24 hours. The rank of each Player is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most successful rugby team of all time

Background Information: The History of Rugby and Its Most Successful Teams Rugby is a sport that originated in England in the 19th century and has since become popular worldwide, especially in countries like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The game is played by two teams of 15 players each, who try to score points by carrying, passing, kicking, or grounding the ball in the opponent's goal area. Over the years, many rugby teams have emerged as dominant forces in the sport, winning multiple championships and accolades. Among these teams, the most successful ones are often determined by their winning records, the number of titles they have won, and their overall impact on the sport. One of the most successful rugby teams of all time is the New Zealand All Blacks, who have won the Rugby World Cup three times (in 1987, 2011, and 2015) and have a winning percentage of over 75% in international matches. Another notable team is the South African Springboks, who have won two Rugby World Cups (in 1995 and 2019) and have a long history of success in international rugby. Other successful rugby teams include the Australian Wallabies, who have won two Rugby World Cups, the Welsh national rugby team, who have won several Six Nations Championships, and the English national rugby team, who won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Overall, the sport of rugby has a rich history and a strong tradition of excellence, with many successful teams that have left their mark

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