Super Rugby: Two All Blacks lead legendary list of all-time try scorers

Split-with-Bryan-Habana-Maa-Nonu-and-TJ-Perenara

Super Rugby has taken many different forms over the years since the tournament began in 1996, and the competition has seen some of the biggest stars feature.

We took a look back in the archives to find the STAR-STUDDED list of all-time try scorers in Super Rugby, with two active players right at the top of the pile.

=1 TJ Perenara (62)

Remarkably, the All Blacks veteran is the only scrum-half on the list and is one of the leading try scorers in the competition’s history.

Perenara’s prolific edge has been ever-present for the Hurricanes since making his debut in 2012 where he has gone on to make over 150 appearances. There were fears that the Achilles injury which kept him out for the entirety of 2022 would take from his prolific nature, but his return in 2024 has quickly squashed those concerns.

The All Black is well-placed to take the record for himself this season.

=1 Julian Savea (62)

Aptly nicknamed ‘Bus’, the hard-running superstar was unstoppable at points during his lengthy career. Savea will go down as one of the greatest wings in history, with some comparisons to the great Jonah Lomu drawn when the All Black was at his peak.

Savea had two stints with the Hurricanes, where he scored the majority of his tries in Super Rugby before making the switch to Moana Pasifika, where he looks to be reinventing himself as an inside centre.

The legend is the only other active player and could, in theory, challenge Perenara for the sole top spot this season.

3 Israel Folau (60)

The controversial star led the Super Rugby all-time try list for an extended period that lasted years after he was sacked by Australian Rugby for homophobic comments in 2018.

The former Wallaby was an instinctual player and consistently performed for the New South Wales side. His skill set was impressive, headlined by his impressive aerial prowess. He scored his 60 tries in less than 100 games.

4 Doug Howlett (59)

A name that became synonymous with tries during his playing days. The All Black was absolutely rapid, with his 100m time supposedly under 11 seconds. This showed on the field in Howlett’s elusive and beautiful running style.

Howlett scored most of his tries in the colours of the Blues in a blockbuster line-up loaded with pace. He also played for the Highlanders and Hurricanes in short stints as he put his name amongst the greatest in Super Rugby history.

5 Caleb Ralph (58)

An out-and-out Crusaders legend who scored a load of tries for the historic side. Ralph also played a handful of games for the Reds, Chiefs and Blues as he notched up over a century of caps in Super Rugby.

Not only was Ralph a very dangerous runner he was slick with ball in hand offering a massive threat to all the defences he faced. The former All Black still holds the record for the most tries in a Crusaders shirt but that has now been matched by Sevu Reece who will be desperate to go ahead on his own.

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6 Joe Roff (57)

The former Wallaby has one of the best strike rates of all the players on the list, scoring his tries in just 86 appearances for a legendary Brumbies team in a period where the club built its prestige.

He could well have scored more but decided to call time on his career before he turned 30. Roff’s blistering pace and natural ability to find the try line was crucial for both the Brumbies and Australia in what some might consider the ‘golden era’ for both sides.

=7 Ma’a Nonu (56)

Quite simply one of the greatest players the game has seen and one that redefined the role of an inside centre as brought huge physicality as well as supreme ball skills and a rounded kicking game. It is fair to say he has never been truly replaced in the All Black set-up.

The former All Black earned most of his caps and tries for the Hurricanes but also played for the Blues and Highlanders in Super Rugby. The fact that Nonu is still playing (and thriving) in the USA’s Major League Rugby at the age of 41 is indicative of his one-of-a-kind class.

=7 Christian Cullen (56)

The former All Black was a proper fan favourite during his playing days with his scything running ability a joy to watch. Cullen was the kind of player that could score from anywhere and change the game in a heartbeat. It is no surprise to see the free running ex-fullback.

Cullen was a ‘Canes man and remarkably scored all his tries in less than 90 appearances, showcasing how deadly he was with the ball in hand.

=7 Bryan Habana (56)

One of the biggest names on the list and still the leading all-time try scorer in tier-one Test rugby. Habana was truly rapid and, at his peak, left defenders in his wake more often than not.

His most famous Super Rugby moment was definitely his try in the 2007 final for the Bulls as Habana singlehandedly buried the Sharks with a sensational solo effort that won the title with the clock in the red. The renowned wing continued his exploits for the rest of his Super Rugby career in the colours of the Stormers.

=7 Stirling Mortlock (56)

Another Australian rounds out the list. Mortlock was a highly versatile and intelligent rugby player whose influence extended far beyond his try-scoring skills.

The majority of his time was spent in the Brumbies camp, where he made over 100 appearances during the period where the Canberra side was truly firing. He rounded off his career for the Melbourne Rebels as one of the players in their first-ever squad.

A true legend in Super Rugby.

Super Rugby’s all-time try scorers

=1 TJ Perenara (62)

=1 Julian Savea (62)

3 Israel Folau (60)

4 Doug Howlett (59)

5 Caleb Ralph (58)

6 Joe Roff (57)

=7 Ma’a Nonu (56)

=7 Christian Cullen (56)

=7 Bryan Habana (56)

=7 Stirling Mortlock (56)

Quiz: Can you name every All Blacks coach since 1995?