Which player is rugby union’s highest-ever international points scorer?

Dan Carter is rugby union’s highest-ever international points scorer, with 1,598 points for New Zealand.

Carter played 112 Tests for the All Blacks between 2003 and 2015. His points came mainly from conversions, penalties and drop goals, with a smaller number of tries. He was also New Zealand’s fly-half in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup-winning teams.

Carter surpassed England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson’s previous international points record. Wilkinson remains one of rugby’s most celebrated kickers, but Carter finished his international career with the higher total. International points records can differ slightly between statistical databases when uncapped matches or invitational fixtures are included, so the standard Test-match record is the useful comparison.

Carter’s total combines points scored for New Zealand, not points from his club career in France, Japan or New Zealand. His international career ended after the 2015 World Cup final.