Rugby: Welshman on verge of unwanted record

Wales first-five Stephen Jones. Photo / Getty Images

Spare a thought for Welsh first five-eighth Stephen Jones, whose horror record against the All Blacks could plunge to reach a new test rugby milestone over the next fortnight.

Jones has lost all 11 of his tests against the All Blacks - three of them during the British and Irish Lions tour of 2005 - a record which sits among the worst for a player against any major test-playing nation.

Twin defeats against New Zealand in Dunedin and Hamilton, assuming the veteran playmaker takes the field in both, would leave him with a 0-13 win-loss tally.

That would lower him below former Italian loose forward Sergio Lanfranchi, who currently wears the unwanted millstone with a 0-12 record against France in a career that spanned the 1950s.

Jones has rarely come close to toppling the All Blacks in his 11 meetings since 2002, the notable exception being their 26-25 loss at Cardiff in 2004.

Another record looms for the 32-year-old from Aberystwyth, who will become the European player to contest the most tests against the All Blacks if he climbs to 13. The current record of 12 is held by former French fullback Serge Blanco, who has an undesirable record himself against New Zealand of 1-11.

The most straight losses by any player against another country is 18, held by former Wallabies winger David Campese, also against the All Blacks.

The best record for a player against one opponent is proudly owned by veteran Irish prop John Hayes, who is 12-0 against Italy.

The worst test records for a player against each major rugby-playing nation:

0 wins 12 losses - Sergio Lanfranchi (Italy) v France (1949-64)
0-1-11 - Serafino Ghizzoni (Italy) v France (1977-87)
0-11 - Stephen Jones (Wales and Lions) v New Zealand (2002-)
0-10 - Gethin Jenkins (Wales and Lions) v New Zealand (2002-)
0-10 - Mauro Bergamasco (Italy) v Ireland (2000-)
0-10 - Salvatore Perugini (Italy) v Ireland (2000-)

- NZPA