All Blacks close in on record

Wellington - Barring a major reversal of fortune the All Blacks will become the most prolific point scorers in Test rugby history on Saturday.

According to the NZPA, New Zealand have been steadily gaining on France as the all-time leading scorers and now need just seven points in the Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in Wellington to climb to the top rung.

In 660 Tests, France have scored 11 792 points (average of 17.9) while the All Blacks have reached 11 786 in just 462 Tests (average of 25.5) .

Given the New Zealanders have racked up 169 points in the first four Tests of the year, the record is sure to fall and they should open up a clear lead before France next play, in November.

The All Blacks need just seven tries to overtake France's 1 561 in the all-time try scoring stakes and three conversions to be the first team to land 1 000 of them in Tests.
 
New Zealand and Argentina are the only leading nations to have landed more conversions than penalties.

	Tests played	Won	Points for	Tries	Cons	Pens
France	660	364	11,792	1561	907	909
New Zealand	462	345	11,786	1555	997	953
Australia	509	256	10,260	1315	766	959
Wales	612	316	9860	1325	755	905
England	629	332	9837	1351	767	955
Argentina	331	183	9513	1244	769	688
South Africa	386	246	8713	1093	699	747
Ireland	593	248	7924	1014	574	793
Scotland	592	251	7542	1019	563	776