Rugby World Cup on track to break tournament try record of 332

Reaching for the line: A new try record could be set during the tournament
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Sam Long29 September 2015

The Rugby World Cup 2015 is not even a fortnight old but this year's edition is already on course to break the record for the most tries scored in a single tournament.

Although England's chastening defeat to Wales on Saturday night was dominated by penalty kicks, there have been a total of 110 tries scored in the 19 matches played across the country so far.

The current average of more than five per match could see the rugby elite surpass the record total of 332 that was achieved during the competition in Australia back in 2003, which averaged just 3.45 tries per game.

Teams will have to stick to their guns and keep the ball in hand, as Chris Robshaw chose to do in the closing stages of the hosts' Pool A defeat to Wales, if the record is to be surpassed.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

New Zealand legend Jonah Lomu's record for the most individual tries in World Cup history is also under threat.

The Kiwi scored 15 tries during the 1995 and 1999 tournaments but Australian winger Drew Mitchell went over twice against Uruguay on Sunday to take his tally to 12.

However, Mitchell is not letting the prospect of overtaking Lomu affect his attitude as the Wallabies prepare for a showdown with England later this week.

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"'There are far more important things that we're trying to achieve as a group, and hopefully there's a bigger outcome.

"In terms of pressing claims, it's more about me crossing the line and finishing."

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