Which rugby union player scored the first try in a men’s Rugby World Cup tournament?

Michael Jones scored the first try in a men’s Rugby World Cup tournament.

Jones scored for New Zealand against Italy in the opening match of the 1987 Rugby World Cup. The match was played at Eden Park in Auckland on 22 May 1987, and New Zealand won 70–6. His try helped create the first scoring record in the history of rugby union’s premier global championship.

Jones was a flanker renowned for his speed, tackling, and support play. He became one of New Zealand’s leading players during the inaugural tournament and scored another try in the final against France.

The historical detail is sometimes confused with the first points of the competition, because New Zealand also kicked an early penalty. A try, however, is the specific scoring event associated with Jones. He later became known for refusing to play on Sundays for religious reasons, which meant he did not appear in New Zealand’s Sunday semi-final against Wales.