Neil Jenkins
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Now confirmed as one of the greats of world rugby, Neil Jenkins is the current holder of international points record. He surpassed Michael Lynagh’s record of 911 points in a pool game between Wales and Samoa in the 1999 Rugby World Cup. In spite of heavy criticism virtually throughout his international career, which began as a teenager against England, he remained an almost permanent feature of the Welsh team from the day that he was picked. That he was not a great creative fly-half in the manner of Barry John or Phil Bennett meant that he was frequently played at full-back 1, but his solid virtues commanded attention, and his style of play fitted naturally with the flat back-line favoured by Wales’ New Zealand-born coach Graham Henry 2. This was accompanied by Wales’ best form of the nineties, with victories over England, France and South Africa 3. Michael Lynagh views Jenkins’ achievement as far greater than his own, as Jenkins played most of his games in a team that was, at best, mediocre 4. His career statistics can be found at http://www.planet-rugby.com/worldcup/players/breakdown.html/PR/ENG/FLT?_name1=WJE13&team=WA
1) as he was during the victorious 1997 Lions tour of South Africa
2) who took the reins in Autumn 1998
3) who had never before lost to Wales
4) Lynagh’s only regret being that record was not broken in Fiji, as he would have preferred to have been interviewed there
1) as he was during the victorious 1997 Lions tour of South Africa
2) who took the reins in Autumn 1998
3) who had never before lost to Wales
4) Lynagh’s only regret being that record was not broken in Fiji, as he would have preferred to have been interviewed there
