New goalkicking analysis of international and Super Rugby has revealed some interesting reading for Australian fans.
South African site goalkickers.co.za has released detailed analysis for goal kickers in competitions around the world since 2015 and when it comes to Super Rugby, the numbers make for interesting reading for Australians.
The website, which has statistics for pure percentage results and also ranking for "value added" by various kickers and difficulty-weighted rankings, uses kickers who have taken more than 10 shots for their teams in their various stints.
When it comes to pure accuracy, it is former Waratah and NRL veteran Reece Robinson who sits at the top of kickers for the Australian Super Rugby franchises since 2015.
Robinson had an 83.3% per cent return, or 15 successful shots from 18 attempts, in his brief stint with NSW, putting him eighth overall on the 89-strong list.
Former Force South African import Peter Grant was next on the list when it came to Australian teams, with 82.2 per cent.
Australia's more familiar kickers are spread throughout the 89 recognised Super Rugby kickers since 2015, with Jono Lance at the Force the next most accurate (78.9%) after Grant, followed by Bryce Hegarty (78.8%).
The Wallabies' regular goal kicker in recent years, Bernard Foley, came in at 24 with 78.1 per cent return from his 384 shots at goal in Super Rugby.
Overall, eight players from Australian Super Rugby franchises made the top 50, with Will Harrison and Matt To'omua rounding out the top 10.
When results are weighted with aspects of the kick's difficulty, including distance, angle, altitude, the side of field and kicking foot, margin at the time of the kick, home or away and first or second half, the results are not much better.
Grant slips to 14th when those factors are considered, with current Force skipper Ian Prior next at 22nd and Harrison the best of Australia's current Super Rugby players at 26th, one spot ahead of Foley.
Looking internationally, Foley is ranked 20th among the world's top kickers over the past two Rugby World Cups, a list that Scotland's Greig Laidlaw tops.
Christian Lealiifano, who was the primary kicker during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, sits at 28th.
Super Rugby kickers with Australian franchises 2015-2020
1. Hayden Parker 90.3% (102/113)
8. Reece Robinson (Waratahs) – 83.3% (15/18)
9. Peter Grant (Force)– 82.2% (37/45)
16. Jono Lance (Force) - 78.9% (30/38)
17. Bryce Hegarty (Rebels/Reds) – 78.8% (67/85)
24. Bernard Foley (Waratahs)– 78.1% (300/384)
26. Ian Prior (Force) – 78% (32/41)
28. James Tuttle (Reds/Rebels) – 77.3% (17/22)
48. Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies)– 72.5% (198/273)
51. Will Harrison (Waratahs) - 72.2% (13/18)
52. Matt To’omua (Brumbies/Rebels) – 72% (18/25)
Rankings, weighted for difficulty
1. Jacques-Louis Potgieter (Bulls) - 7.25
14. Peter Grant (Force)– 5.53
22. Ian Prior (Force) – 5.24
26. Will Harrison (Waratahs)– 5.17
27. Bernard Foley (Waratahs)– 5.09
30. Reece Robinson (Waratahs) – 5.010
35. Jono Lance (Force) 4.87
40. Mike Harris (Rebels) – 4.68
43. Jack Debreczeni (Rebels)– 4.63
47. Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies) – 4.53
48. Matt To’omua – (Brumbies/Rebels) 4.52
